Analysis: Ben Hunt signing puts spotlight on futures of Adam Reynolds, Ezra Mam, Billy Walters and Blake Mozer

Ben Hunt will make a fairytale return to the Broncos but his signing is set to shake-up Red Hill with four of Brisbane’s biggest names facing uncertain futures. See which players are in the crosshairs.

Ben Hunt’s return to Brisbane is set to have a domino effect on the Broncos with at least four players caught up in the crossfire following the NRL’s biggest pre-season move.

Hunt has signed a two-year contract with the Broncos, bringing the Maroons and Kangaroos star back to the club he made his NRL debut for in 2009.

At 34 and with 334 NRL games under his belt, Hunt is in the twilight of his career and likely to retire at the end of 2026 despite the potential of cracking the 400-game milestone in 2027.

But his immediate move to Brisbane following seven years at the Dragons has put the spotlight on the futures of Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, Billy Walters and Blake Mozer.

EZRA MAM

Hunt has been recruited primarily to cover for the expected absence of Mam, who will face court next month following an alleged drug driving crash.

The Broncos are bracing for Mam to be rubbed out for at least the first two months of the 2025 NRL premiership.

If that is the case Hunt will likely slot into the No. 6 jersey, a position he has only started 10 NRL games in.

While Hunt is being viewed as a stop-gap solution at five-eighth, coach Michael Maguire may be loath to change a winning formula if Brisbane gets off to a flying start.

If the Broncos are playing well and winning, Maguire could opt to keep the same spine even when Mam is available for NRL selection.

Mam is signed at Brisbane until the end of 2029 but his short-term future in the team is unclear.

Will Ezra Mam walk back into Brisbane’s halves? Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Imagery.

ADAM REYNOLDS

Reynolds gave his tick of approval before the Broncos signed Hunt and it’s not believed his No. 7 jersey is under threat.

Not in the short-term at least.

Reynolds is a few months younger than Hunt but has struggled with injuries lately and it is widely-expected 2025 will be his final season in the NRL.

But Reynolds hasn’t confirmed that, instead leaving the door open as he waits to see how he returns following an injury-riddled 2024.

However the arrival of Hunt, signed until the end of 2026, could squeeze Reynolds into retirement if Maguire feels he is Brisbane’s best halfback option beyond next year.

BILLY WALTERS

Walters has faced innuendo about his future at the Broncos since the departure of his father, former coach Kevin Walters, in September.

Billy admitted he was initially angry with the club’s decision to let Kevin go following this year’s crash from grand finalists to 12th.

Those feelings have eased, but the recruitment of Hunt raises questions about Billy’s future in the No. 9 jersey.

While he is a halfback in the NRL, Hunt has played extensive Test and Origin football at hooker and isn’t opposed to playing dummy-half for the Broncos.

It will be interesting to see what Maguire does with his spine if Mam, Reynolds and Hunt are all available for selection.

Hunt could be shifted to hooker which would squeeze Walters out of the starting team, and potentially Brisbane’s top 17.

BLAKE MOZER

Mozer has been earmarked as Brisbane’s long-term hooker since his schoolboys’ days.

But if, and when, he gets a chance to sew up the No. 9 jersey remains to be seen.

The time has arrived for the Broncos to see what Mozer is made of. He showed promising signs last season without being given enough of a crack.

The arrival of Hunt has now added another hooker to the position Brisbane already has too much depth in.

Broncos rookie Blake Mozer is yet to sign an extension with Brisbane. Picture: NRL Imagery

Walters has been the first-choice hooker for a few years with Tyson Smoothy and Cory Paix also waiting in the wings.

Mozer doesn’t seem to have a clear path to the starting team and Hunt adds another potential hurdle.

Mozer is off-contract at the end of 2025 and yet to sign an extension with the Broncos as a number of clubs circle him.