Brisbane want to bring Ben Hunt back to the club for a run to the 2023 NRL finals and a tilt at the premiership.
If St George Illawarra agree to release their 33-year-old captain after he speaks to incoming 2024 coach Shane Flanagan and club power brokers on Monday, then the Broncos will fast track negotiations to bring Hunt back to Brisbane on a deal for the rest of this season.
AAP has been told the Broncos interest is at this stage for 2023 only and for Hunt to play mainly as a hooker, a similar role to the one he plays with the Queensland Maroons.
The Broncos have not won a title since 2006 and Hunt, who came desperately close in 2015 at Brisbane, is also chasing that accolade.
If the Dragons playmaker, who is on the record that he has asked for a release and wants to return to his home state of Queensland, is allowed to leave the Red V then his most likely destination for season 2024 and 2025 is the Gold Coast Titans.
The competition-leading Broncos already have Adam Reynolds and Ezra Mam signed for next year in the halves and have one of the best young hookers in Blake Mozer earmarked to be their future No.9, along with having current NRL hookers Billy Walters, Tyson Smoothy and Cory Paix on the books.
Hunt’s initial contract that he signed with the Dragons ends in October this year. The 304-game veteran subsequently signed a two-year extension until the end of 2025, before his close friend and former coach Anthony Griffin was sacked.
Brisbane’s negotiations for Hunt depend on the Dragons being prepared to let him go. It will make for a fascinating 48 hours as all parties await the decision.
Hunt played 187 NRL games for the Broncos from 209 to 2017 after he was identified by the late and legendary talent scout Cyril Connell as a 12-year-old while playing juniors at Blackwater in Central Queensland.
He has since played 117 games for the Dragons.
Regarding Hunt, Brisbane coach Kevin Walters said on Triple M radio that “if he is officially on the open market it would be something we’d certainly look at”.
At his pre-game press conference on Saturday, he was asked again about Hunt.
“Most clubs could do with Ben Hunt in their squad. Not too many clubs would say no to him,” Walters said.
“We see it all the time. Ben’s work ethic, he is skilful and tough, but he is with the Dragons.”
Hunt’s former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett was asked if there was any chance his former No.7 would be added to the Dolphins squad next year.
“No,” Bennett replied.
The Dolphins already have Sean O’Sullivan, Isaiya Katoa, Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima in the halves with Jeremy Marshall-King, currently injured, their number one hooker.
