Payne Haas has thrown down the challenge to his Brisbane teammates, declaring the Broncos have “no more excuses” as they prepare for a season-defining clash with Penrith on Thursday night.
With Brisbane welcoming back a host of representative stars, Haas believes the time for explanations is over and insists the defending premiers must finally deliver.
The Broncos head into Round 20 on an eight-game losing streak, but for the first time in months they are close to full strength.
Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam, Reece Walsh, Patrick Carrigan and Haas are all available, while other key players have also returned from injury, leaving Brisbane with few reasons for another disappointing performance.
Haas said the playing group understands exactly what’s at stake.
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“There’s no more excuses.”
The NSW Origin prop said the Broncos have welcomed back enough quality players to expect immediate improvement, adding that everyone within the squad knows this is effectively a must-win game if they are to keep their finals hopes alive.
The challenge couldn’t be much tougher.
Brisbane travels to CommBank Stadium to face the Panthers, who have regained several key players of their own and are again looking like one of the NRL’s benchmark teams.
Despite Brisbane’s poor run, Haas remains confident the Broncos can still turn their season around.
He said the team has shown glimpses of its best football throughout the year but acknowledged they have failed to produce complete performances consistently enough.
The return of Reynolds and Mam is expected to provide much-needed direction in the halves, while Walsh’s speed and Carrigan’s leadership should also strengthen the side across the park.
A loss, however, would leave Brisbane’s finals hopes hanging by a thread.
The Broncos entered 2026 as defending premiers but have struggled with injuries, representative absences and inconsistent performances, slipping well outside the top eight after their prolonged losing streak.
For Haas, there is only one way to respond.
With the Broncos finally close to full strength, he believes it’s time for actions rather than words.
Thursday night’s showdown against Penrith will reveal whether Brisbane can keep its premiership defence alive—or whether one of the most disappointing title defences in recent memory is about to come to an end.
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