BRISBANE WILL BE THE HOUSE OF PAYNE FOR NEXT DECADE

Brisbane coach Kevin Walters has no dramas with Payne Haas testing the market and is confident the powerhouse prop will be wearing a Broncos jersey for the next decade. Contracted at the Broncos until the end of 2024, Haas is free to talk to rival clubs on November 1 and is sure to attract massive interest, but Walters believes the 24-year-old will remain at Red Hill. "Out of respect to Payne and his manager we are comfortable with what he is doing, but my thoughts personally are that he will be a Bronco for life," Walters said on Friday. "We’ve got a great environment here, Payne knows we want him to stay and he is also aware he loves being at the place, so I’m sure we can come to an agreement where both parties are happy. "It's not a distraction to the playing group because we are very respectful of each individual and their needs. Payne's a great player for us and he will continue to do that, his output is amazing. "You don’t have to be Einstein to work out that everyone would be interested in Payne but we are confident in the groundwork we have done here, not only with Payne but with all of our players that are coming off contract, that they want to stay here and be a Bronco and win.

"We'll let it all unfold and we know Payne gives his all for whatever jersey he pulls on and he’ll be wearing a Broncos one for the next 10 years, I believe." The Broncos sit second on the ladder heading into Round 20 but will be without Pat Carrigan, Corey Oates and Haas for the game against the Bulldogs at Belmore. Haas is carrying an ankle injury while Carrigan is being rested after a tough Origin series, with both expected back in Round 21, but veteran winger Oates is facing six weeks out with a knee injury. The Bulldogs clash was to be the 28-year-old's 200th NRL game but that milestone will now go on hold until the end of the regular season or the finals.

"I feel a bit sorry for Oatesy because he has had a tough year injury-wise," Walters said. "He's got a meniscus tear so he'll be out for 4-6 weeks depending on how well he recovers. "It was an innocuous incident at training, nothing in really, but sometimes the body doesn't hold up how you want it to.

"He'll come back fresh and strong for hopefully the last couple of games into the finals. Surgery will be the next step for him and then recovery." Walters revealed that Maroons star Carrigan had been "desperate to play" on Saturday but the decision was made to rest him. "We planned well for this week and trained well with the group that we've had here all week so I feel that's the best option for us," Walters said. "He can put his feet up and enjoy his Origin success and come back on Monday with his Broncos hat on and get ready for Souths." Source: NRL.Com