The Broncos flew to England late Monday for the World Club Challenge, and were represented at the launch by Billy Walters, who was confident Haas and Reynolds would make it their personal mission to bow out with successive premierships.
“They’re motivated more than anyone to leave the club on a high, and we’ll be doing everything to send them out back-to-back premiers,” Walters said.
Captains and senior NRL players gathered for the season launch in Sydney on Tuesday.Credit: Louise Kennerley
“It was a shock about Payne leaving. I’m sure it wasn’t a rash decision, and one he had thought about for a while. We’ll do nothing but support him and make sure he enjoys his last year before he starts wreaking havoc against us next year.”
Other players polled by this masthead also backed Penrith to bounce back strongly this year. The Panthers overcame a horror 2-6 start last season, and only bombed out in the preliminary finals to the eventual premiers after leading 14-0 at half-time.
Roosters skipper James Tedesco said the Panthers looked good with the same roster, while Parramatta counterpart Mitchell Moses said there was no way they would be as slow off the mark again.
“Penrith have a fair bit of improvement and will be better for that [late] run,” Melbourne captain Harry Grant said.
St George Illawarra’s Damien Cook liked the Roosters because of the form of tearaway Dally M winner Tedesco last year, while North Queensland back-rower Jeremiah Nanai was also impressed by the Chooks and the addition of Daly Cherry-Evans and Reece Robson. Kalyn Ponga tipped the Bulldogs to break through because of their consistency.
Haas’ move to Souths remained the biggest talking point among the players and officials.
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Souths skipper Cameron Murray welcomed the arrival of his NSW Origin teammate, but backed the Bunnies to do something special this year.
As for Haas, Murray said: “Souths will be a good fit for him. He’s got a good relationship with the coach [Bennett], he respects him, he wants to play for him, and he’s got great mates in the team.
“I haven’t spoken to him about why he wants to be here, but he wouldn’t come to a place where he can’t see success happening. I get confidence knowing he wants to be here, and that he sees potential for success at this place.
“It’s a high-performance environment, an environment where we all care about each other, on and off the field; I’ve been lucky to call Souths home my whole life.”
