The Sea Eagles are preparing to launch a bold bid for Broncos superstar prop Payne Haas in the wake of Daly Cherry-Evans’ shock decision to leave Manly at the end of the 2025 season.
With Cherry-Evans rejecting a revised two-year deal and announcing his exit, Manly now has serious salary cap space to pursue a marquee signing.
Chief executive Tony Mestrov has confirmed the club is eyeing a high-profile front-rower for 2027 and beyond, placing Haas squarely in their sights.
‘We definitely would have some interest in Payne,’ Mestrov told News Corp.
‘We are looking to sign a middle forward in 2027 and you would be crazy not to consider Payne.’
The 25-year-old NSW Origin enforcer is off contract at the end of 2026, meaning he can field rival offers from November 1 this year.
Payne Haas has been in blistering form for the Broncos and has become a target for the Manly Sea Eagles
Manly will have cash to splash because of the departure of star playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans
Manly Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov confirmed the club would be looking to target Payne Haas
While Mestrov admits it will be a ‘Mission Impossible’ task to lure Haas from Red Hill, Manly remains hopeful should the Broncos forward test his value on the open market.
‘Payne is already on good money at the Broncos and you would have to pay even more to get him out of Brisbane,’ Mestrov said.
‘Without speaking for ‘Seibs’ [coach Anthony Seibold], he is the type of prop we would be looking at.’
Haas is currently on a $1.1million-a-season deal, but recent performances could see his market value soar even higher.
The Broncos star has dominated early in the 2025 season and was widely praised for his Game 3 Origin performance last year.
‘For me, he is the number one prop in the game at the moment and he has been for a while now,’ Nathan Hindmarsh said on Triple M.
As the NRL prepares for an expanded TV rights deal and increased salary caps, Haas is tipped to spark a bidding war.
Though the Broncos will be desperate to retain him, they’ve already committed big money to stars like Reece Walsh, Patrick Carrigan and Ezra Mam.
Cherry-Evans has rejected a two-year offer from Manly and will finish his career with another club
Manly, meanwhile, is hungry to bolster its forward pack and believes Haas could be the final piece needed to claim their first premiership since 2011.
Coach Anthony Seibold, who worked with a young Haas during his time at the Broncos, has a strong relationship with the powerhouse prop.
The Sea Eagles’ need for forward reinforcements became more urgent last week after Taniela Paseka suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.
Siosiua Taukeiaho and Josh Aloiai are now leading the charge up front, but the club sees Haas as a long-term solution.
‘We have a very fast backline, but Payne is definitely someone we would consider to help our forwards. He is one of the best props in the game,’ Mestrov said.
While Haas remains firmly on the radar, Manly has ruled out making a formal play for veteran halfback Adam Reynolds.
Reynolds, who turns 35 in July, is expected to either retire or play one final season for Brisbane in 2026.
‘We have a list of names and Adam Reynolds’ name was discussed when we were throwing up some options,’ Mestrov said. ‘But we won’t be making an offer for him.’
The Sea Eagles have ruled out making a play for Broncos veteran halfback Adam Reynolds
Instead, the Sea Eagles are prioritising Canberra’s Jamal Fogarty as a potential replacement for Cherry-Evans in the halves.
‘We’re looking at a number of potential playmakers. Why wouldn’t you want to sign with Manly now when we are in a premiership window,’ Mestrov added.
Seibold has stayed tight-lipped on Cherry-Evans’ future but is confident the 36-year-old hasn’t made a decision about whether he’ll retire or play on.
‘I feel Chez is very genuine with regards to him not knowing what he wants to do next,’ Seibold said.
‘He’s played 332 games for our club, Origin, and for Australia. Ultimately, he gets to make that call.’
Seibold confirmed he had known since December about Cherry-Evans’ plan to leave, saying the skipper addressed the team early to avoid distractions.
‘I’ve said it a number of times that both myself and Chez have had private conversations. Ultimately, it was his decision when he was going to announce this would be his last year,’ Seibold said.
The fallout from Cherry-Evans’ decision has sparked wider debate around the influence of player managers in the game.
League legends Andrew Johns and Braith Anasta believe a bitter feud between agents Isaac Moses and Joe Wehbe may have played a role behind the scenes.
‘DCE is too measured to let an agent dictate what decision he makes,’ Anasta said. ‘But if [Wehbe] has some sort of reason for his client and believes he shouldn’t be there, there’s an influence there regardless of what you think, sub-consciously.’
Johns added, ‘There’s got to be a stick there at the NRL to control them… if they step out of line.’
