Code-hopping superstar Karmichael Hunt wants to come back to the Brisbane Broncos

Karmichael Hunt wants to make an NRL comeback with the Brisbane Broncos, a first step in the code-hopping star’s bigger rugby league plan.

South Logan Vs Redcliffe in a trial match at Souths home ground – Corey Oates, Acacia Ridge Saturday 6th March 2021 Picture David Clark

Code-hopping superstar Karmichael Hunt has revealed he wants to make a shock NRL comeback with the Broncos and urged wary fans to look beyond his controversial past.

Hunt will make his competitive league return when he plays for Souths-Logan against Burleigh in Round 1 of the Intrust Super Cup on Sunday.

It has been nearly 12 years since Hunt played his last NRL game for the Broncos in Brisbane’s 2009 preliminary final loss to Melbourne.

He left the NRL as a State of Origin and Kangaroos star, embarking on a trailblazing switch to Australian rules, where he spent four seasons with the Gold Coast Suns and at times looked like a bona fide AFL player.

Hunt never truly felt comfortable in the AFL and crossed over to rugby union in 2015, spending four years with the Queensland Reds, featuring for the Wallabies in 2017, before falling out of favour and joining the NSW Waratahs in 2019.

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Karmichael Hunt will play for Souths-Logan in the Intrust Super Cup. Picture David Clark

The past two years at the Waratahs were a struggle for Hunt, and with his fourth child (Lennox) on the way, he and wife Emma returned to Brisbane to be closer to family.

At 34, Hunt understands he is in the twilight of his career but hopes a return to his roots at Souths-Logan can propel him to an NRL resurrection with the rebuilding Broncos.

“I’d love to,” Hunt told The Sunday Mail when asked if he wanted to play for the Broncos.

“Hopefully they don’t need the help. I’m really looking forward to seeing how they go.

“I’d love to play professionally but I’ve been out of the game for 11 years. Maybe it’s a young man’s game now, who knows? I’m just going to play and see how we go.

“If it happens it happens. If it doesn’t, that’s OK.

“I’m pretty old in league terms but the body feels good. The last five years in rugby weren’t the most consistent in terms of playing so my body feels fresh.”

Karmichael Hunt was the Dally M rookie of the year in 2004. Pic Darren England.

OVERCOMING HIS PAST

HUNT became an NRL sensation with his fearless kick returns, freakish step and electric movements making him one of the code’s premier fullbacks before his groundbreaking switch to the AFL.

But for all of his on-field heroics, Hunt has had some spectacular lows off the field.

He has been embroiled in multiple drug scandals including the famous cocaine probe into the Gold Coast Suns and Titans in 2015 which netted multiple big-name footy stars.

Following a separate incident in late 2017, Hunt pleaded guilty to being in possession of the prescription drug Xanax during a night out in Fortitude Valley.

Hunt doesn’t shy away from his past and speaks like a more mature person than he once was.

But he understands people may be apprehensive about his desire to work with youngsters on his way to becoming an NRL coach.

Hunt is unofficially coaching emerging players at Souths and is adamant he is deserving of the opportunity despite his history.

“I don’t think – I know I am a better person,” Hunt said.

“But there is no stopping someone from not giving me an opportunity because of my past.

“You don’t even have to get in trouble to not get an opportunity. It is what it is.

“I can only control what I can control now which is my process, learning how to be a coach and trying to get results and make players better.

“If it happens at a professional level that will be great. If it doesn’t, I’ll be doing something meaningful anyway.”

Karmichael Hunt was embroiled in a 2015 cocaine sting involving AFL and NRL players. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Hunt made his NRL debut for the Broncos as a 17-year-old in 2004, quickly becoming one of the code’s rising stars and the Dally M Rookie of the Year.

He won a premiership in 2006, Brisbane’s last title-winning team, and played 125 games across six seasons before switching to the AFL.

Hunt admits his off-field scandals have taken a toll on his family, but at the same time have made him a stronger person.

“Like any experience, you learn from it,” he said.

“As much as it was painful to go through, not just for myself but also my family and team, I’m standing in this position now grateful for it because I’m a better man.

“There have been plenty of highs and lows over the last 18 years.

“You take the good with the bad. Sometimes the bad is more prevalent, you have to learn from it and try to get better.”

Hunt had a tough two years with the NSW Waratahs. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

THE NEXT CHAPTER

HUNT has long held a desire to enter the coaching sphere.

He wants to impart the knowledge and experience he has gained playing three different codes at the highest level on the next generation of league talent.

Becoming a head coach in the NRL is his goal and after confiding in former Broncos mentor Wayne Bennett, Hunt decided to cut his teeth in the Intrust Super Cup.

While Hunt will play centre for the Magpies Sunday, he believes his role is much bigger than just making an impact on the field.

Souths Logan head coach Steven Bretherton will be helped by Karmichael Hunt. (Image/Josh Woning)

“I’ve played the game since I was four years old,” he said.

“This is home for me. I know I chose to experience different games and see what I could do professionally, but I always wanted to get back to league and give back. The best way I can do that is as a coach.

“I am definitely handing my knowledge down and helping out where I can. As the year progresses I will do more development coaching and get my certificates.

“(Coaching in the NRL) is the goal. I want to start in the Q-Cup. I feel that’s the right place to learn and you can get the full experience of a head coach before you get into a pressure situation.

“You have to operate on a minimal budget but can experiment with your teaching methods, drills and style of play. You can learn how to be a coach.

“Doing it at this level is the right move for me and ‘Benny’ (Bennett) thinks the same thing.”

Hunt played four seasons with the AFL’s Gold Coast Suns.

Running out for the Magpies in front of a few hundred at Davies Park in West End will be a far cry from the bright lights of Suncorp Stadium, only a stone’s throw over the Brisbane River.

But for Hunt it is the beginning of a new chapter and one he hopes will lead to a successful career as an NRL coach.

“I’ve come full circle,” he said.

“I’m really excited to be back in rugby league. To be able to give back to my junior club Souths-Logan … I couldn’t say it was on the cards five years ago but to be home is exciting.

“If you have regrets then you want to change something. If I change something I wouldn’t be the person I am now. I wouldn’t want to change anything.

“It’s good to be back. I’m excited for the future.”