Payne Haas aims for historic Dally M award win

Brisbane rugby player Payne Haas is making headlines as he aims to achieve something no prop has done in 46 years. He could be the first prop to win the prestigious Dally M award, which recognizes the best player in the NRL. Despite facing challenges with injuries, Haas has been in great form in the early part of the season. In a recent match against the Cowboys, he shone, scoring a memorable solo try and winning the Carl Webb Medal. He earned six Dally M votes from that game, putting him close to the current points leader, Kalyn Ponga. Historically, no front-rower has won the Dally M since the award began in 1979. The last time a prop was considered the game’s best was when Mark Sargent shared the Rothmans Medal in 1989. Although Jason Taumalolo won the Dally M in 2016, he mainly played as a lock that year. Haas has shared that he is still getting back to peak performance after undergoing ankle surgery before the season started. He is also fasting for Ramadan, which adds to his physical challenges. Sports commentator Matty Johns praised Haas as the best player in the NRL, highlighting his speed and skill, which are typically seen in players of smaller size. Johns compared Haas's partnership with teammate Pat Carrigan to legendary player pairings in rugby league history. He expressed excitement about Haas's current performance, stating it has sometimes overshadowed Carrigan’s equally impressive play. Former player Cooper Cronk remarked on the power of the Broncos' forward pack and emphasized the strong teamwork that allows players to create scoring opportunities. With Haas leading the way, many are excited to see how the season unfolds.