"I had no idea": Souths players share reaction to Haas signing
February 8 arrived without fanfare and with no obvious signs that anything major was about to happen.
The day felt routine until mid-afternoon, when a shockwave rippled through the NRL community at about 2:20pm.
Until that moment, recent reports had suggested the Broncos were in a strong position to retain their star front-rower for another season.
Minutes after the initial disturbance, the Rabbitohs confirmed they had lodged a contract for Payne Haas, set to begin in 2027 and run through the end of 2029.
Shortly following that declaration, the Broncos issued a statement indicating Haas was seeking a move to South Sydney, creating even more confusion.
The revelation left Broncos supporters crestfallen, Rabbitohs fans stunned, and neutrals still trying to work through the news.
Two teammates, Tallis Duncan and Jack Wighton, described being as surprised as anyone else by the turn of events.
Duncan said he learned about the development while scrolling Instagram, a very modern and public way to discover such a seismic change.
Wighton, by contrast, was asleep and woke to messages and calls, initially thinking someone had played an early April Fool's joke.
The episode underscored how quickly transfer news can erupt and how little warning teammates sometimes receive.
It also served as a reminder that even high-profile moves can land in the laps of players and fans with no prior notice.