NRL 2024: Broncos blocked from Ezra Mam’s salary relief but loophole could see Brisbane land Ben Hunt

The NRL won’t allow the Broncos to wipe Ezra Mam’s pay from their salary cap but a loophole could allow Brisbane to sign Ben Hunt on a cut-price contract.

Ben Hunt during an Australia Kangaroos training session at Ballymore Stadium on October 22, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The NRL is poised to block any potential move by the Broncos to have Ezra Mam’s contract discounted from the club’s salary cap as a loophole opened for Brisbane to land Ben Hunt on a bargain deal.

Mam is facing an uncertain future following a car crash in Brisbane last month in which he allegedly failed a roadside drug test and was found to be driving unlicensed.

Police have not laid any charges and it’s understood they are waiting for Mam to emerge from rehab and the b-sample from his roadside drugs test before finalising their investigation – but the Broncos are bracing for Mam to be suspended for at least two months by the NRL.

Given he has not been charged by police, and it is the off-season, Mam has not been subjected to the NRL’s No Fault Stand Down Policy.

But if he is wiped out by the game for an extended period, the NRL is not planning to allow the Broncos salary cap dispensation to cover Mam’s absence.

If the Broncos were granted dispensation, as has been the case in other high-profile off-field incidents, Brisbane would be afforded extra salary cap funds to sign a player to cover Mam’s absence.

The NRL isn’t planning to give the Broncos any exemptions around Ezra Mam. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Broncos have identified former Dragons captain Hunt as a potential candidate to replace Mam alongside halfback Adam Reynolds.

Hunt can also play hooker or perform a utility role from the bench.

Having walked away from a $900,000 contract at the Dragons for 2025, the NRL will not allow Hunt to sign a cut-price deal with his next club as it would violate the code’s market value rules.

But that is where a loophole in the policy could allow Brisbane to land Hunt for a bargain – if both parties are prepared to wait.

For every month he is without an NRL contract, Hunt’s pro-rata salary can be reduced by about $75,000.

The NRL’s contracting period started on November 1, meaning if Hunt goes to December 1 without a deal his value suddenly drops to about $825,000.

If he doesn’t sign with a new club until January, he could be squeezed in at $750,000, based on a market value of $900,000.

The NRL may yet determine Hunt’s market value to be less than his Dragons contract, which would make it easier for Brisbane to sign the Maroons and Kangaroos ace.

The Broncos currently do not have the salary cap space to accommodate a circa $900,000 signing, but could create it by releasing a player.

Forward Kobe Hetherington is currently in talks with new coach Michael Maguire about his future, having received interest from a number of rival clubs.

Hunt, 34, played 187 games for the Broncos before joining the Dragons and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga urged Brisbane to bring him home.

Ben Hunt has been in camp with the Kangaroos while clubs calculate if they can afford his services. Picture: NRL Imagery

“Ben would be a good signing for anyone,” he said.

“He’s a quality person, quality leader and a quality player.

“I’ve had Ben in my teams for quite a long time now. Ben is a winner and he wants to play in a club that will win.

“It’s up to his management where he goes and around the decisions they make next, but I haven’t talked to Ben.

“He’s part of the Australian team at the moment, and we’re relishing his time with us, so I don’t want to put out a lot of pressure on him asking questions.”

Hunt is 18th man for Australia in Sunday’s Pacific Championships final against Tonga in Sydney and has paused contract talks until he exits Kangaroos camp.