NRL 2023: Broncos bombshell as Kevin Walters reveals interest in signing Ben Hunt

Gold Coast had appeared to be Ben Hunt’s most likely destination if he gains a release from the Dragons — now the Broncos have suddenly entered the frame.

Ben Hunt wants to come home to Queensland. Picture: NRL Photos

The Broncos are contemplating entering the race for Maroons star Ben Hunt after Brisbane coach Kevin Walters confirmed he would look at bringing the disgruntled Dragons captain back to Red Hill.

Hunt is set to receive a frosty welcome at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on Friday night when the Dragons host the Warriors after requesting a release from his contract with St George Illawarra.

The Maroons Origin hooker wants to return to Queensland following the sacking of Dragons coach and close confidant Anthony Griffin.

The Titans have been pursuing Hunt’s signature and are ready to pay him up to $900,000-a-season to finish his career on the Gold Coast.

However the Titans abruptly sacked coach Justin Holbrook on Thursday and it is unclear whether incoming coach Des Hasler has Hunt in his plans.

While the Titans remain Hunt’s most likely destination if he is released by the Dragons, the Broncos have suddenly entered the frame.

Hunt, 33, played 187 games for the Broncos after making his NRL debut for the club in 2009.

He was part of Brisbane’s 2015 grand final team, when Walters was an assistant to coach Wayne Bennett, and spent nine NRL seasons with the Broncos before joining the Dragons in 2018 on a bumper six-year contract.

Ben Hunt wants to return home to Queensland. Picture: NRL Photos

Hunt has a close relationship with Walters from the Broncos and Queensland Origin team.

Interestingly, Walters attended a dinner on the Gold Coast last month to celebrate Hunt’s 300th NRL game milestone, which was infamously snubbed by Dragons powerbrokers.

The Dragons’ no-show at the dinner is believed to have played a role in Hunt’s disgruntlement with the club.

In the lead-up to Sunday’s Broncos-Titans derby at Suncorp Stadium, Walters said he was respectful of Hunt’s contractual situation at the Dragons but was interested in bringing him back to Brisbane.

“If he is officially on the open market it would be something we’d certainly look at,” Walters told Triple M.

“I know some clubs have pulled the trigger early. The Dragons, to my knowledge, are not interested in releasing Ben.

“He has obviously been a really good player here in the past and I’m sure most clubs would love to have Ben’s calibre of player and personality on their books.

“At this stage, we’ll sit back and see what happens with the process at the Dragons and be respectful of that contract without committing too much.

“I’m sure all the Queensland clubs, maybe with the exception of the Cowboys, would be interested in Ben’s services. You could throw Redcliffe in there as well.”

Could a return to Brisbane be on the cards for Ben Hunt? Picture: Getty Images

A stumbling block in Brisbane’s potential bid for Hunt could be his preference to play halfback in the NRL.

The Broncos have a superb No. 7 in Adam Reynolds who is in talks to extend his tenure at Red Hill until 2025.

Walters’ son Billy Walters has made the hooker role his own this season, however back-up dummy half Cory Paix was recently dropped and rising star Blake Mozer is still developing in the Hostplus Cup.

A 16 Origin and 10 Test representative star, Hunt would command a healthy salary but the Broncos had $1.3 million set aside in next year’s salary cap for Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler, who both defected to the Dolphins.

The Dolphins are not in the race for Hunt and the Cowboys are settled in the halves and hooker department.

Ben Hunt in action for Queensland. Picture: NRL Photos

After the Maroons wrapped up the Origin series at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night, Hunt confirmed he wanted to return to Queensland.

“The priority is to come home to Queensland. That’s where we want to be,” he said.

“I have missed the support networks with family and the weather is always nice. Myself and my partner, our families are here and my family is in central Queensland. We’ve enjoyed our time in Sydney but we’re ready to come home.

“To be honest, I haven’t considered anyone. All the Queensland teams are in a good position, so I haven’t considered anyone. Surely there’s no cap room at the Broncos, they are loaded.

“My focus has been on Origin and working stuff out with the Dragons. I won’t look into the other clubs until I have a conversation with the Dragons.

“I definitely have two more years, maybe three. I still feel all right. I have been very lucky through my career with injuries. I have been pretty healthy so I wouldn’t rule out three more years.

“It’s every player’s dream to win a premiership so that will come into it for sure.”