Parramatta have released Reagan Campbell-Gillard just hours after the manager of Payne Haas rubbished suggestions he wanted out of the Broncos.
After finishing 12th and missing the NRL finals, the Broncos are in the market for proven forwards to bolster their rotation. AAP has been told both Campbell-Gillard and Melbourne’s Christian Welch are in the frame.
The Eels on Tuesday announced Campbell-Gillard had been granted a release from his 2025 contract to pursue a long-term deal at another club.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today 
“I’m so thankful for the opportunity to come to a great club which helped me get my football back on track,” he said.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Parramatta, I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve had and for the lifelong friendships I’ve made.
“I also want to thank the passionate Eels fanbase, it’s been a pleasure playing in front of them and I’ve appreciated all their support over the years.”
Parramatta football boss Mark O’Neill said releasing a “quality player is “never easy” but thanked Campbell-Gillard and wished him the best.
Speculation surrounding Campbell-Gillard followed claims that Haas was unsettled at the Broncos and wanted out after a poor season.
His manager Ahmad Merhi has now put those reports to bed.
“Payne always gets a lot of media around him and there were rumours last week that he wanted to leave Brisbane, but that is the funniest thing I have ever heard,” Merhi told AAP on Tuesday.
“Don’t believe it. It is totally one hundred per cent incorrect. He has never wanted to leave Brisbane and there is no thought of him leaving. He has just bought a brand new property a walk away from the club and the training grounds.
“His family is settled. He has a young daughter and a little boy on the way. Payne has also taken two of his younger brothers on and they are living with him.”
Haas signed a lucrative deal last year that keeps him at the club until the end of 2026.
When the five-time Broncos player of the year inked the deal he mentioned his close bond with coach Kevin Walters. Walters has also been under scrutiny with his coaching ability called into question. Merhi said Haas respected the coach and enjoyed playing under him.
“Kevvie is the one that got the deal done for Payne and without him it wouldn’t have got done,” he said.
“Payne loves Kevvie. If I have my way Payne will be staying at Brisbane for the rest of his career.”
The Broncos are in the midst of exit reviews with players and have engaged an external party to review the season with key staff. Those conversations are ongoing.
Haas, who returned to action against the Dolphins four weeks after suffering a Lisfranc injury against Gold Coast, will miss the Pacific Championships at the end of the season.
He put the team before his own welfare to try and lift Brisbane into the finals.
“Payne goes under the knife as early as today and will have a four-month recovery,” Merhi said.
“He should have had surgery four or five weeks ago but he opted to carry the injury to try and play semi-finals. That speaks to what kind of character he is.
“He hid it from me. When I found out I said, ‘what are you doing?’ but he wanted to carry on despite the pain because the club means so much to him.”
