Footy star Payne Haas has announced big family news after one of the most turbulent years of his life

With his mother and father both in prison, Payne Haas has begun his dramatic year off the field, which ended with heartwarming news for the Broncos superstar.

At just 24 years old, Haas has had a lot on his plate as his father Gregor was arrested in May on drug trafficking charges after allegedly smuggling crystal methamphetamine from Mexico to Indonesia.

Additionally, his mother Joan Taufua is in jail awaiting sentencing after three people were killed in a car crash involving a vehicle she was driving in 2022.

Haas’ priority during difficult times has always been his two younger school-age brothers, who live with him, and his daughter.

Now he has revealed that he and his fiancée Lani will welcome a baby boy in December.

“I’m going to be a father again, I’m ready for more chaos,” Haas said News Corp.

“I love having a daughter, so it will be a different experience having a son.”

‘He’s expected around December 14, but he might come sooner because he’s already quite big.

‘I’m so soft with my daughter, I’m hopeless. My partner Lani gets so mad at me. I spoil my daughter way too much. I let her get away with everything.

‘She’s three now, it’s gone quickly. Life moves fast when you have children.’

The four-time Dally M Prop of the Year, who has become the legal guardian of his younger brothers, is determined to give his family a better life.

“I don’t want them to see the things I saw as a kid and be around some of the things I was doing,” Haas said.

‘I get sad for my brothers. It’s been hard for them to deal with all of this, but I’m just blessed that Lani has been so understanding and supported me through this.

‘I am fortunate that I am now in a good place where I can actually help them, put them on the right path and give them a head start in life.

“Honestly, that’s my main goal now.

‘I love being a father and being with my family. I don’t do much outside of football these days.

“Some people might find it boring, but with what I’ve had to take on, the most important job in my life now is to be a good person and mentor to them, and then comes footy.

‘There was a time when I wasn’t a good role model, to be honest. But you grow up in life and all I care about now is raising good children with manners and good morals, who treat people right.”

The Broncos star admits his year from hell has tested him in many ways, but he is coming out of it in good shape.

‘I won’t lie. It’s been a difficult year.

‘I think I’m used to the drama.

“With all the stuff that came up (from his father’s arrest) in Magic Round, right before I ran onto the field last year, it was a little tiring, to be honest.

“This offseason has been the best for me. I just moved away from a lot of things. I haven’t been on my phone as much and I’ve had a good support network, as has my partner, who has been my safety net to fall back on when things get tough.

‘But my mentality is that there are always people in the world who experience worse things than me.

‘That gives me a different view of things.’