'Payne Haas, Woodberry Warriors': the junior footy origin of the Hunter's NSW stars

The Advertiser

27-05-2025

Payne Haas might have left the Hunter in his early teens, but he will forever remain a Woodberry Warriors junior.
The Brisbane Broncos prop is one of several NSW Blues from the Hunter and broader region who will take on Queensland in the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday night.
Former Wests Maitland Wallaroos and Thornton Beresfield Bears junior Max King will make his Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium, while Greta Branxton Colts product Hudson Young returns to the NSW line-up.
But it is Haas whose junior background is sometimes overlooked.
The 25-year-old relocated to Queensland at age 13, attending renowned rugby league nursery Keebra Park State High School on the Gold Coast.
To the Woodberry Warriors, Haas is still very much one of their own.
"He was a very humble and quiet person, but you could definitely feel his presence. We definitely knew he was destined for stardom," Warriors president John Leao said on Tuesday.
"He was a very talented sportsman. It was a given. He was really good at what he put his time and energy into."
Woodberry is a small outlying suburb between Newcastle and Maitland. It is a tough but proud area, and Leao, who has spent most of his life there, said Haas served as a shining light for the community.
"We're always proud of people that come from our small town, but I know for sure that [Payne] is very proud of where he comes from, and that's not lost on him," Leao said.
"The biggest thing it does is it elevates our community ... It is always wonderful to get a mention when they read the player profiles out at the beginning of each Origin match, and that is something that excites the community, and our club members and supporters."
The Warriors will come together before Wednesday's match at a fundraiser at nearby Thornton McDonald's.
Haas' uncle, Larry Taufua, is a former club president and remains an under-13s coach. Haas has other relatives involved at the club as well.
Last year, when the Warriors were celebrating their 50th year, some under-10s players got to attend a Blues training session in Sydney and mingle with Haas.
"Even though he has reached the higher echelons of the game ... he is very much a proud Woodberry local," Leao said.
In nearby Thornton and Beresfield, and further up the road in Maitland's western suburbs, two junior clubs will be watching on with pride when Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King runs on for his first NSW appearance.
King, who was born in England where his father was playing professionally, grew up in Thornton and started out at the Bears before switching to the Wallaroos in under-12s.
King comes from a famous rugby league family. Four generations have played at the top level, and his grandfather, Johnny, was part of the legendary St George dynasty in the 1960s, where he won seven consecutive premierships.
Former Wallaroos mentor Rod Leggett, who coached Max for several years, said he had earned every bit of his career.
"He made the odd rep side, but he worked hard to get where he did," Leggett said.
"He was one of those kids that would prefer to do extras before training than kicking goals.
"He deserves every success. The man that you see on the TV these days, is the same as the boy I coached many years ago."
West Maitland boast Greg Bird and Brock Lamb as former players who went on to reach the NRL, and seeing the likes of 28-year-old King on the big stage isn't just inspiring for the young kids of today either.
"It's unreal. It makes you feel proud to do what you do with the club," West Maitland vice-president Kerrod Smith said.
"It makes you sit back and look at the kids now that we've got there, and think what could be for them, and I'm sure their own aspirations go up a bit when they realise someone from West Maitland has gone to that level."
The Greta Branxton Colts' home ground still proudly features a Hudson Young Oval banner someone put up after the Canberra Raiders forward was picked for NSW in recent years.
Young, a Greta product whose family ties to the town date back to when his Ukrainian grandmother moved there after the Second World War, is the Colts' most famous player given he has now represented both NSW and Australia.
He made his Blues debut in the 2023 series opener, but has been in and out of the side since. The 26-year-old played three Tests for the Kangaroos late last year, and plays his fourth Origin on Wednesday night.
"It's awesome to see, especially for the juniors coming through, that they can see if you work hard, you can make it," club president Michael Irvine said.
The Colts are a small club, compared to others across the Hunter, but have added five additional teams this season, growing as the area's population increases.
"Everyone is always talking about Hudson, and the banner has never been taken down, whoever put it up," Irvine said.
"It's unofficially named Hudson Young Oval ... it's just such a good story for the kids, for small communities and not just our club, that can see the likes of Hudson and Payne Haas come out of small clubs, not the big clubs, and to be able to play not just NRL, but for NSW and Australia."
Further afield, fellow NSW players Mitch Barnett and Latrell Mitchell will be looking to do their junior clubs and broader community proud.
Barnett played for the Wingham Tigers, whose clubhouse has been used to support flood victims this past week, while Mitchell hails from the Taree Red Rovers.
On the Central Coast, the Terrigal Sharks and Kincumber Colts will be cheering on Connor Watson, a former Knights player and the Blues' bench utility.
Meanwhile, Kalyn Ponga returns to Queensland's No.1 jersey, and is the Knights' sole representative in the series opener.
Payne Haas might have left the Hunter in his early teens, but he will forever remain a Woodberry Warriors junior.
The Brisbane Broncos prop is one of several NSW Blues from the Hunter and broader region who will take on Queensland in the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday night.
Former Wests Maitland Wallaroos and Thornton Beresfield Bears junior Max King will make his Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium, while Greta Branxton Colts product Hudson Young returns to the NSW line-up.
But it is Haas whose junior background is sometimes overlooked.
The 25-year-old relocated to Queensland at age 13, attending renowned rugby league nursery Keebra Park State High School on the Gold Coast.
To the Woodberry Warriors, Haas is still very much one of their own.
"He was a very humble and quiet person, but you could definitely feel his presence. We definitely knew he was destined for stardom," Warriors president John Leao said on Tuesday.
"He was a very talented sportsman. It was a given. He was really good at what he put his time and energy into."
Woodberry is a small outlying suburb between Newcastle and Maitland. It is a tough but proud area, and Leao, who has spent most of his life there, said Haas served as a shining light for the community.
"We're always proud of people that come from our small town, but I know for sure that [Payne] is very proud of where he comes from, and that's not lost on him," Leao said.
"The biggest thing it does is it elevates our community ... It is always wonderful to get a mention when they read the player profiles out at the beginning of each Origin match, and that is something that excites the community, and our club members and supporters."
The Warriors will come together before Wednesday's match at a fundraiser at nearby Thornton McDonald's.
Haas' uncle, Larry Taufua, is a former club president and remains an under-13s coach. Haas has other relatives involved at the club as well.
Last year, when the Warriors were celebrating their 50th year, some under-10s players got to attend a Blues training session in Sydney and mingle with Haas.
"Even though he has reached the higher echelons of the game ... he is very much a proud Woodberry local," Leao said.
In nearby Thornton and Beresfield, and further up the road in Maitland's western suburbs, two junior clubs will be watching on with pride when Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King runs on for his first NSW appearance.
King, who was born in England where his father was playing professionally, grew up in Thornton and started out at the Bears before switching to the Wallaroos in under-12s.
King comes from a famous rugby league family. Four generations have played at the top level, and his grandfather, Johnny, was part of the legendary St George dynasty in the 1960s, where he won seven consecutive premierships.
Former Wallaroos mentor Rod Leggett, who coached Max for several years, said he had earned every bit of his career.
"He made the odd rep side, but he worked hard to get where he did," Leggett said.
"He was one of those kids that would prefer to do extras before training than kicking goals.
"He deserves every success. The man that you see on the TV these days, is the same as the boy I coached many years ago."
West Maitland boast Greg Bird and Brock Lamb as former players who went on to reach the NRL, and seeing the likes of 28-year-old King on the big stage isn't just inspiring for the young kids of today either.
"It's unreal. It makes you feel proud to do what you do with the club," West Maitland vice-president Kerrod Smith said.
"It makes you sit back and look at the kids now that we've got there, and think what could be for them, and I'm sure their own aspirations go up a bit when they realise someone from West Maitland has gone to that level."
The Greta Branxton Colts' home ground still proudly features a Hudson Young Oval banner someone put up after the Canberra Raiders forward was picked for NSW in recent years.
Young, a Greta product whose family ties to the town date back to when his Ukrainian grandmother moved there after the Second World War, is the Colts' most famous player given he has now represented both NSW and Australia.
He made his Blues debut in the 2023 series opener, but has been in and out of the side since. The 26-year-old played three Tests for the Kangaroos late last year, and plays his fourth Origin on Wednesday night.
"It's awesome to see, especially for the juniors coming through, that they can see if you work hard, you can make it," club president Michael Irvine said.
The Colts are a small club, compared to others across the Hunter, but have added five additional teams this season, growing as the area's population increases.
"Everyone is always talking about Hudson, and the banner has never been taken down, whoever put it up," Irvine said.
"It's unofficially named Hudson Young Oval ... it's just such a good story for the kids, for small communities and not just our club, that can see the likes of Hudson and Payne Haas come out of small clubs, not the big clubs, and to be able to play not just NRL, but for NSW and Australia."
Further afield, fellow NSW players Mitch Barnett and Latrell Mitchell will be looking to do their junior clubs and broader community proud.
Barnett played for the Wingham Tigers, whose clubhouse has been used to support flood victims this past week, while Mitchell hails from the Taree Red Rovers.
On the Central Coast, the Terrigal Sharks and Kincumber Colts will be cheering on Connor Watson, a former Knights player and the Blues' bench utility.
Meanwhile, Kalyn Ponga returns to Queensland's No.1 jersey, and is the Knights' sole representative in the series opener.
Payne Haas might have left the Hunter in his early teens, but he will forever remain a Woodberry Warriors junior.
The Brisbane Broncos prop is one of several NSW Blues from the Hunter and broader region who will take on Queensland in the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday night.
Former Wests Maitland Wallaroos and Thornton Beresfield Bears junior Max King will make his Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium, while Greta Branxton Colts product Hudson Young returns to the NSW line-up.
But it is Haas whose junior background is sometimes overlooked.
The 25-year-old relocated to Queensland at age 13, attending renowned rugby league nursery Keebra Park State High School on the Gold Coast.
To the Woodberry Warriors, Haas is still very much one of their own.
"He was a very humble and quiet person, but you could definitely feel his presence. We definitely knew he was destined for stardom," Warriors president John Leao said on Tuesday.
"He was a very talented sportsman. It was a given. He was really good at what he put his time and energy into."
Woodberry is a small outlying suburb between Newcastle and Maitland. It is a tough but proud area, and Leao, who has spent most of his life there, said Haas served as a shining light for the community.
"We're always proud of people that come from our small town, but I know for sure that [Payne] is very proud of where he comes from, and that's not lost on him," Leao said.
"The biggest thing it does is it elevates our community ... It is always wonderful to get a mention when they read the player profiles out at the beginning of each Origin match, and that is something that excites the community, and our club members and supporters."
The Warriors will come together before Wednesday's match at a fundraiser at nearby Thornton McDonald's.
Haas' uncle, Larry Taufua, is a former club president and remains an under-13s coach. Haas has other relatives involved at the club as well.
Last year, when the Warriors were celebrating their 50th year, some under-10s players got to attend a Blues training session in Sydney and mingle with Haas.
"Even though he has reached the higher echelons of the game ... he is very much a proud Woodberry local," Leao said.
In nearby Thornton and Beresfield, and further up the road in Maitland's western suburbs, two junior clubs will be watching on with pride when Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King runs on for his first NSW appearance.
King, who was born in England where his father was playing professionally, grew up in Thornton and started out at the Bears before switching to the Wallaroos in under-12s.
King comes from a famous rugby league family. Four generations have played at the top level, and his grandfather, Johnny, was part of the legendary St George dynasty in the 1960s, where he won seven consecutive premierships.
Former Wallaroos mentor Rod Leggett, who coached Max for several years, said he had earned every bit of his career.
"He made the odd rep side, but he worked hard to get where he did," Leggett said.
"He was one of those kids that would prefer to do extras before training than kicking goals.
"He deserves every success. The man that you see on the TV these days, is the same as the boy I coached many years ago."
West Maitland boast Greg Bird and Brock Lamb as former players who went on to reach the NRL, and seeing the likes of 28-year-old King on the big stage isn't just inspiring for the young kids of today either.
"It's unreal. It makes you feel proud to do what you do with the club," West Maitland vice-president Kerrod Smith said.
"It makes you sit back and look at the kids now that we've got there, and think what could be for them, and I'm sure their own aspirations go up a bit when they realise someone from West Maitland has gone to that level."
The Greta Branxton Colts' home ground still proudly features a Hudson Young Oval banner someone put up after the Canberra Raiders forward was picked for NSW in recent years.
Young, a Greta product whose family ties to the town date back to when his Ukrainian grandmother moved there after the Second World War, is the Colts' most famous player given he has now represented both NSW and Australia.
He made his Blues debut in the 2023 series opener, but has been in and out of the side since. The 26-year-old played three Tests for the Kangaroos late last year, and plays his fourth Origin on Wednesday night.
"It's awesome to see, especially for the juniors coming through, that they can see if you work hard, you can make it," club president Michael Irvine said.
The Colts are a small club, compared to others across the Hunter, but have added five additional teams this season, growing as the area's population increases.
"Everyone is always talking about Hudson, and the banner has never been taken down, whoever put it up," Irvine said.
"It's unofficially named Hudson Young Oval ... it's just such a good story for the kids, for small communities and not just our club, that can see the likes of Hudson and Payne Haas come out of small clubs, not the big clubs, and to be able to play not just NRL, but for NSW and Australia."
Further afield, fellow NSW players Mitch Barnett and Latrell Mitchell will be looking to do their junior clubs and broader community proud.
Barnett played for the Wingham Tigers, whose clubhouse has been used to support flood victims this past week, while Mitchell hails from the Taree Red Rovers.
On the Central Coast, the Terrigal Sharks and Kincumber Colts will be cheering on Connor Watson, a former Knights player and the Blues' bench utility.
Meanwhile, Kalyn Ponga returns to Queensland's No.1 jersey, and is the Knights' sole representative in the series opener.
Payne Haas might have left the Hunter in his early teens, but he will forever remain a Woodberry Warriors junior.
The Brisbane Broncos prop is one of several NSW Blues from the Hunter and broader region who will take on Queensland in the State of Origin series opener on Wednesday night.
Former Wests Maitland Wallaroos and Thornton Beresfield Bears junior Max King will make his Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium, while Greta Branxton Colts product Hudson Young returns to the NSW line-up.
But it is Haas whose junior background is sometimes overlooked.
The 25-year-old relocated to Queensland at age 13, attending renowned rugby league nursery Keebra Park State High School on the Gold Coast.
To the Woodberry Warriors, Haas is still very much one of their own.
"He was a very humble and quiet person, but you could definitely feel his presence. We definitely knew he was destined for stardom," Warriors president John Leao said on Tuesday.
"He was a very talented sportsman. It was a given. He was really good at what he put his time and energy into."
Woodberry is a small outlying suburb between Newcastle and Maitland. It is a tough but proud area, and Leao, who has spent most of his life there, said Haas served as a shining light for the community.
"We're always proud of people that come from our small town, but I know for sure that [Payne] is very proud of where he comes from, and that's not lost on him," Leao said.
"The biggest thing it does is it elevates our community ... It is always wonderful to get a mention when they read the player profiles out at the beginning of each Origin match, and that is something that excites the community, and our club members and supporters."
The Warriors will come together before Wednesday's match at a fundraiser at nearby Thornton McDonald's.
Haas' uncle, Larry Taufua, is a former club president and remains an under-13s coach. Haas has other relatives involved at the club as well.
Last year, when the Warriors were celebrating their 50th year, some under-10s players got to attend a Blues training session in Sydney and mingle with Haas.
"Even though he has reached the higher echelons of the game ... he is very much a proud Woodberry local," Leao said.
In nearby Thornton and Beresfield, and further up the road in Maitland's western suburbs, two junior clubs will be watching on with pride when Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King runs on for his first NSW appearance.
King, who was born in England where his father was playing professionally, grew up in Thornton and started out at the Bears before switching to the Wallaroos in under-12s.
King comes from a famous rugby league family. Four generations have played at the top level, and his grandfather, Johnny, was part of the legendary St George dynasty in the 1960s, where he won seven consecutive premierships.
Former Wallaroos mentor Rod Leggett, who coached Max for several years, said he had earned every bit of his career.
"He made the odd rep side, but he worked hard to get where he did," Leggett said.
"He was one of those kids that would prefer to do extras before training than kicking goals.
"He deserves every success. The man that you see on the TV these days, is the same as the boy I coached many years ago."
West Maitland boast Greg Bird and Brock Lamb as former players who went on to reach the NRL, and seeing the likes of 28-year-old King on the big stage isn't just inspiring for the young kids of today either.
"It's unreal. It makes you feel proud to do what you do with the club," West Maitland vice-president Kerrod Smith said.
"It makes you sit back and look at the kids now that we've got there, and think what could be for them, and I'm sure their own aspirations go up a bit when they realise someone from West Maitland has gone to that level."
The Greta Branxton Colts' home ground still proudly features a Hudson Young Oval banner someone put up after the Canberra Raiders forward was picked for NSW in recent years.
Young, a Greta product whose family ties to the town date back to when his Ukrainian grandmother moved there after the Second World War, is the Colts' most famous player given he has now represented both NSW and Australia.
He made his Blues debut in the 2023 series opener, but has been in and out of the side since. The 26-year-old played three Tests for the Kangaroos late last year, and plays his fourth Origin on Wednesday night.
"It's awesome to see, especially for the juniors coming through, that they can see if you work hard, you can make it," club president Michael Irvine said.
The Colts are a small club, compared to others across the Hunter, but have added five additional teams this season, growing as the area's population increases.
"Everyone is always talking about Hudson, and the banner has never been taken down, whoever put it up," Irvine said.
"It's unofficially named Hudson Young Oval ... it's just such a good story for the kids, for small communities and not just our club, that can see the likes of Hudson and Payne Haas come out of small clubs, not the big clubs, and to be able to play not just NRL, but for NSW and Australia."
Further afield, fellow NSW players Mitch Barnett and Latrell Mitchell will be looking to do their junior clubs and broader community proud.
Barnett played for the Wingham Tigers, whose clubhouse has been used to support flood victims this past week, while Mitchell hails from the Taree Red Rovers.
On the Central Coast, the Terrigal Sharks and Kincumber Colts will be cheering on Connor Watson, a former Knights player and the Blues' bench utility.
Meanwhile, Kalyn Ponga returns to Queensland's No.1 jersey, and is the Knights' sole representative in the series opener.