Brisbane Broncos great Corey Parker has called on the club to axe Payne Haas amid revelations the star forward wants out over a pay dispute.
Haas’ management requested an immediate release on Wednesday night, a move that was swiftly rejected by the club.
The 22-year-old is signed until the end of 2024 on a deal worth around $800,000 a season.
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Haas’ management is playing hardball, arguing he would make more than $1 million on the open market, calling for the star to be paid $1 million this season and next year, and then $1.2 million in 2024.
Parker said Haas had already been given special treatment by the club with his current deal, and the loyalty the Broncos have showed him amid his struggles off the field has been noble.
He described the situation as “horrific” and implored the Broncos to part ways with the State of Origin star.
“This player, while he’s a terrific player, at no stage in the Broncos history has one player been bigger than the club,” Parker told Fox League.
“I would let Payne Haas go right now, right now. I would let him go.
“There’s an argument that Payne gets what he wants but from a club’s perspective, if you have a player inside your four walls that does not want to be there, he’s thrown all the toys out of the cot, he’s said, ‘Nup I want an immediate release.’
“This is after five straight wins, if you’re sitting there doing your boots up and you’re looking across – and yes he’s a good player and yes he’s going to play well – but this player doesn’t want to be there.
“He’s getting very, very well paid. To me it shows a real reflection on Payne and from the club’s perspective. They hold their integrity high in regards to the way they’ve looked after him throughout that period but at the moment – let him go.
“If you don’t want to play for the Broncos, don’t play. It’s just ridiculous after what the club has done for him.”
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