BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

Young Brisbane Broncos enforcer Payne Haas is set to become the first forward to win a Dally M Medal since Jason Taumalolo in 2016 after starting the year with a bang – leading the Broncos to a famous victory at Suncorp Stadium against South Sydney.

And we have the statistics to back it up.

The81stminute.com can reveal that not only has the New South Wales Blues prop been building to a monster 2022, his previous three seasons in the NRL dwarf Taumalolo’s comparable three years between 2013 and 2015, leading into his Dally M victory in 2016.

Between seasons 2019 and 2021, Haas outguns Taumalolo in every single stat.

A remarkable thing to consider when you remember just how damaging Taumalolo was for the North Queensland Cowboys.

In those three respective years, Haas ran for a total of 10,227 metres at an average per game of 176 to Taumalolo’s 8950 at an average 131.78.

During that period, Haas has amassed 231 tackles breaks to the Cowboys legend’s 189.

According to NRL.com, Haas’ fantasy points average was 67 to Taumalolo’s 29.6.

“He [Taumalolo] won a premiership and signed for 10 years but wasn’t content with that,” Haas told the press in 2019.

“He is still killing it and runs 200 metres a game.

“I am not here just for a contract. The Broncos fans deserve a lot. I know we have a premiership drought and that is what drives me.

“When we do win a premiership I am not going to stop. I will want to keep winning. When I signed here I knew we were a powerhouse and we’ve got to get back to that.”

Rumours circled at the beginning of the season that the Sydney Roosters were keeping an eye on court proceedings between Haas and his former player agent Chris Orr over a dispute regarding Haas’ contract.

Haas is contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2024.

“Obviously it won’t be a distraction,” Haas said in February.

This Sunday’s game as important as any other this season for opponents Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers

“I’ve still got a while here – I’m committed until 2024 and we’ll see what happens from there. I don’t want to say too much now, because I’m still going through this in court – hopefully it’s sorted out soon.”

The Broncos have done all they can to keep Haas at the club.

Since his debut in 2018, Brisbane have let go several forwards in an attempt to free-up money for the Woodberry junior including Jai Arrow, Adam Blair, Herman Ese’ese, Josh McGuire, Korbin Sims, Jaydn Su’A, David Fifita, Matt Lodge, Joe Ofahengaue and Tevita Pangai Junior.

In 2016, Haas represented the Australian Schoolboys. The following season, Jarrod Wallace was squeezed out as the club wrestled with which young forwards to keep.

Without new halfback Adam Reynolds, Haas led the Broncos to an upset 11-4 victory over the Rabbitohs in round one.

They were too good for Souths.

The 22-year-old played the majority of the match and ran for 187 metres.

The Broncos need to do everything they can to keep the big tyro at the club.

He’s about to go to another stratosphere.

@woodward_curtis