Losing Payne Haas would rip the heart out of any NRL pack. For Brisbane, it wouldn’t just be a roster headache — it would be an identity crisis. But if the unthinkable happens, the Broncos won’t be powerless. Far from it.
They’d be armed with a $2 million warchest — and a rare opportunity to reshape their forward pack for the next five years.
The Giant Who Fits the Bill
If Brisbane needs a like-for-like physical presence, there’s one name quietly emerging in recruitment circles: Addin Fonua-Blake.
At nearly 120kg with elite post-contact metres, Fonua-Blake is one of the few forwards in the game capable of bending defensive lines the way Haas does. He doesn’t replicate Haas’ engine minute-for-minute — no one does — but he brings something just as valuable: instant dominance through the middle.
AFB’s experience, intimidation factor, and leadership profile make him a plug-and-play alpha for a pack that thrives on momentum. Slot him in at the front of Brisbane’s rotation and the Broncos don’t just survive — they stay relevant.
Why One Replacement Isn’t Enough
Here’s where Brisbane must be smarter than the market expects.
Spending the entire $2m on one prop would be lazy list management. Haas’ true value isn’t just in his carries — it’s in the pressure he removes from everyone around him. That influence can’t be bought in a single contract.
The smarter play? Split the war chest.
The Ideal Spend Breakdown
$900k–$1m: Elite Front-Row Enforcer
Secure a marquee middle who commands attention and sets standards.
$500k–$600k: Mobile Lock or Edge-Prop Hybrid
A high-motor forward who links play and keeps defensive lines honest.
$300k–$400k: Young Middle with Upside
Develop the next long-term pillar while insulating against injury or form dips.
That three-pronged approach spreads workload, preserves intensity, and future-proofs the pack.
The Bigger Picture
The Broncos are built to win now — but not at the cost of tomorrow. Replacing Haas with a single signing would be symbolic, not strategic. Replacing him with a system? That’s how dynasties survive.
If Haas stays, Brisbane celebrate.
If he goes, Brisbane adapt — and if they play this right, they don’t just replace a giant.
They evolve.
