Broncos lock up star forward on monster multi-year deal as life without Payne Haas begins

In the same week some corners of the press are merrily spruiking talk of a player revolt at Brisbane, one of the club’s brightest young forwards is set to recommit on a massive three-year extension.

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According to reports from Wide World of Sports, Kiwi international Xavier Willison is poised to ink a hefty new deal worth $950,000 a year that will keep him off the NRL open market come November 1, securing his services at Red Hill until at least the end of the 2030 season.

The news will be a massive boost for the Broncos who are struggling in second last place on the NRL ladder with the flickering flame of their premiership defence all but extinguished.

The new deal will make Willison the second highest-paid player on the Broncos roster behind only star fullback Reece Walsh.

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While the price-tag is undeniably high, in reality it was one Brisbane simply had to pay given the imminent departure of Payne Haas who will link with Wayne Bennett and the Rabbitohs in 2027.

While not consistently at his barnstorming best in 2026, the towering 23-year-old has continued to show glimpses of his enormous potential and locking him up was a high priority for Dave Donaghy and Co who clearly see Willison as a cornerstone of the Brisbane pack for years to come, alongside boom youngster Tupou Francis who is yet to make his NRL debut.

Willison has already played 67 games for the Broncos since debuting against the Cowboys as a teenager in 2021 and has featured in every game so far in 2026.

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