Ben Hunt has the chance for a fairytale finish to his career, after agreeing to return to the place where it all started, with a two-year deal at the Broncos.
The 34-year-old playmaker was released from his contract at the Dragons after a messy contract saga and has since fielded interest from other clubs including the Roosters, Bulldogs, Dolphins and even a Super League club.
But the Maroons and Kangaroos representative chose to rejoin Brisbane on a two-year deal, reportedly up to $600,000-a-season.
“He’s very flattered by the interest from those clubs, but ultimately opted to finish his career in Brisbane,” Hunt’s manager Col Davis told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“It was a difficult decision and he hadn’t made up his mind until yesterday.”
Ben Hunt last played for the Brisbane Broncos in 2017. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Last week, Brisbane coach Michael Maguire, who himself is preparing for his first year at the club, admitted that Hunt could be the missing piece that would help break a 19-year title drought in 2025.
“He would give us great depth,” Maguire said.
“Ben has played both positions at the highest levels at hooker and halfback, so it would give us versatility around what he can do.
“It would be great to have a player back who started at this club at the age of 13.
“For him to come back and achieve something (a premiership win) that he set out as a kid at the Broncos, it would be an incredible story.”
Hunt played 187 games for Brisbane between 2009-17, scoring 230 points, before switching to the Red-V where he played for seven seasons, taking his career games tally to 334, making him one of the more experienced players in the game.
He has been playing halfback at the Dragons and hooker at representative level. But with Ezra Mam set for a long stint on the sidelines through suspension, Hunt is expected to play five-eighth, alongside Adam Reynolds in the halves.
The No.6 jersey has been made famous by champion players Wally Lewis, Kevin Walters and Darren Lockyer.
Before Hunt’s return was announced, Reynolds was looking forward to playing next to him and was confident of a return to the finals.
“He could do a lot, he’s a great player,” the halfback said.
“He’s a leader off the field as well, which is super important in any organisation.
“He’s an X-factor among some of the game’s greats and obviously it will be a big benefit getting him here if we can. No matter where you are if you’ve got competition in the squad it’s going to make you a better player.
“Ben would add to that if he did arrive here and that’s not to say he won’t make everyone else better in the team as well. He’s a competitor, he brings a lot of experience to the game as well and no doubt he’d be a great addition to the squad if we can get him.”