The Broncos are set to sign wantaway Dragons skipper Ben Hunt on a short-term deal for the remainder of the 2023 season after he formalises a release from St George Illawarra.
The Daily Telegraph reported Hunt is set to be granted a release from the Dragons as early as Monday to make an immediate switch to the Broncos for the rest of the season.
Hunt is then tipped to sign a lucrative two year deal to finish his career at the Titans from 2024.
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Barring a massive turnaround following a meeting with incoming coach Shane Flanagan, Hunt has likely played his last game for the Dtragons.
The Broncos have yet to make a formal approach to Hunt, but Brisbane will contact the Dragons on Sunday to discuss a transfer deal, which would involve a transfer fee similar to the one that saw the Bulldogs take Karl Oloapu in exchange for $500,000.
The NRL has put Queensland clubs on notice over anti-tampering rules, with the Broncos to go directly to the Dragons before speaking with Hunt, who is contracted until the end of 2025.
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The Broncos have enough money in their salary cap to sign Hunt for the remainder of the 2023 season on a deal worth an estimated $200,000.
Hunt is expected to play hooker or five-eighth, with Adam Reynolds the captain and halfback of the team.
The signature of the Kangaroos and Maroons hooker is set to make the Broncos one of the favourites to win the 2023 premiership, which would be their first since 2006.
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Hunt played in the last grand final for the Broncos in 2015, dropping a crucial catch in extra time off the kick-off, which gave Johnathan Thurston the field position to ice the victory for the Cowboys with a field goal.
Broncos coach Kevin Walters denied the club has spoken to Hunt on Saturday, but admitted the club would be interested if he became available.
“I won’t make any comment on Ben, I will let the NRL sort that out and we’ll just wait and see what happens,” Walters said.
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“To be fair, I think most clubs could do with Ben Hunt in their squad.
“Not too many clubs would say no to him.
“We see it all the time with Ben … his work ethic, he is skilful and tough, but he is with the Dragons, so we’re not interested … he is with the Dragons.”
Hunt has played 116 of his 304 NRL games for the Dragons since moving from the Broncos in 2018 and has spent the best part of six seasons at St George Illawarra.
The 33-year-old played the first nine seasons of his career with the Broncos for a total of 187 games after debuting in 2009.
Walters told Triple M radio last week most Queensland teams would be interested in Hunt.
“If he is officially on the open market it would be something we’d certainly look at,” Walters said.
“I’m sure all the Queensland clubs, maybe with the exception of the Cowboys, would be interested in Ben’s services. You could throw the Dolphins in there as well.”
The Broincos were reportedly furious with the NRL after they were asked for any correspondence they have had with Hunt by NRL salary cap auditor Matt Faulkner.
Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy denied Brisbane had any contact with Hunt, despite comments from coach Walters that they would be interested.
“There haven’t been any negotiations with Ben, and we’re not in for him because he’s not off contract,” Donaghy said.
“I saw Kevvy’s quotes about Ben, which basically said nobody had spoken to him, but if a player like that was off contract, the club would consider him. Every club would.”
Hunt revealed his motivations for asking for a release were primarily around moving closer to family support networks in Queensland, but admitted the chance to avenge his 2015 grand final defeat is part of his decision.
“The priority is to come home to Queensland. That’s where we want to be,” Hunt said.
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“I have put a lot of thought into it and what comes first to me is always my family. We are just ready to get out and come home.
“The priority is to come home to Queensland. That’s where we want to be.
“It’s every player’s dream to win a premiership so that will come into it for sure.”
Now Hunt can chase a fairytale premiership at the Broncos, before finishing his career at the Titans.
