Broncos coach Kevin Walters explains why he wants Karmichael Hunt at Red Hill
It’s been 12 years since Karmichael Hunt played for the Broncos. What do Brisbane’s star players think about his upcoming return to the club?
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Broncos players have backed the return of Karmichael Hunt as coach Kevin Walters confirmed his interest in bringing the controversial code-hopper back to Red Hill.
Hunt is due to report for Broncos training on Monday after the 34-year-old multi-code veteran turns out for Brisbane’s feeder-club Souths Logan in their Intrust Super Cup clash against Norths Devils on Sunday at Davies Park.
The sight of Hunt in Broncos training gear will be the first small step in a remarkable comeback journey that could lead to his first NRL game in 12 years.
When Hunt emerges from Brisbane’s $27 million Clive Berghofer Centre on Monday, it will have been 4223 days since he played the last of his 126 games for the Broncos in a semi-final against Melbourne in 2009.
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The former Queensland and Kangaroos star is hardly a cure-all elixir for the struggling Broncos but Brisbane players believe his superb sporting resume can be useful as they look to climb out of the NRL cellar.
“His experience is just something none of us have,” said Brisbane winger Corey Oates, who played alongside Hunt at Souths Logan in recent weeks.
“Karmichael has spent 17 years at the top level in all the sports he’s played.
“He debuted (for the Broncos) at 17.
“With his experience, knowledge and leadership, everyone will look up to him.
“At Souths Logan, when he is talking, everyone just looks, sits and listens.
“I think that is something we need as a group, just a leader like that around the club and his presence.
“Being at Souths with him was awesome. I think all the boys would be excited to have him here and see him in Broncos colours again.”
Brisbane forward Tevita Pangai Jnr said: “I remember Karmichael running hard and straight at the Broncos. He was an awesome player.”
Walters is making no promises. With Souths Logan’s support, Hunt will arrive at Red Hill on a train-and-trial contract worth around $1000 a week.
Under NRL guidelines, Hunt would not be available for selection until round 11, when the Broncos face the Roosters at the SCG on May 22.
Even then, the Broncos would require approval from the NRL to use Hunt. Because the former Waratahs and Wallabies ace is not in Brisbane’s top 30, the NRL would seek an explanation as to why Walters needs to pick Hunt in first grade.
Walters says there is no guarantee Hunt will appear in the NRL this season, but welcomed the mentoring role he can play with Brisbane’s younger players.
“We’ve made some inquiries on Karmichael, we are just waiting to get the green light,” he said.
“He is a former Bronco and a good experienced player.
“He won’t be available until he gets into the top 30. I think after round 10 he could come in (to the side), so we want to get him in, have a look at him, get him around the group and see what he can offer.
“He is playing on Sunday (for Souths Logan) so I will be out there having a look at him.
“I feel Karmichael can add to this group with his presence so we will see what happens.”
DATE SET FOR HUNT’S STUNNING BRONCOS COMEBACK
Peter Badel, Travis Meyn
Comeback king Karmichael Hunt will report for Broncos training on Monday as the controversial code-hopping superstar takes his first step towards a stunning return to the NRL.
Hunt’s long, winding and at times harrowing sporting career has taken another remarkable twist with Brisbane coach Kevin Walters opening the door for the 34-year-old to turn out in Broncos colours this season.
Hunt has been playing in the Intrust Super Cup with Brisbane’s feeder-club Souths Logan and will feature alongside Anthony Milford in this Sunday’s clash against Norths Devils at Davies Park.
But Hunt could soon find himself back in the big league, with the former Queensland Origin star set to be placed on a train-and-trial contract with a view to his second coming as a Bronco later this year.
Under the terms of that deal, Hunt would not be available for selection until round 11. For now, Hunt will bide his time at Brisbane training, with Walters believing Karmichael’s incredible success as a multi-code athlete can bring some experience to the embattled Broncos.
Souths Logan CEO Jim McClelland confirmed he is in discussions with the Broncos for the NRL, AFL and rugby union veteran to return to Red Hill.
“The Broncos have asked me if it would be OK for Karmichael to go in there and do some training and then see what unfolds from there,” he said.
“I spoke to the Broncos last week when they were in Sydney.
“I spoke to Karmichael the other day and he said he will drop in to the Broncos from Monday.
“Karmichael has gone into the Broncos a few times this year to help mentor the young players.
“He has a special talent with young men, the Broncos have realised that and believe he can help their younger players.
“It would be a great story.
“I remember Karmichael making his debut for the Broncos at the age of 17 so it would be incredible for him to be back there at age 34.”
It has been nearly 12 years since Hunt played the last of his 126 games for the Broncos in Brisbane’s 2009 preliminary final loss to Melbourne.
Hunt is under no illusions he is past his best but his backline experience would bring some composure to a Broncos side crying out for senior leaders.
Last month, Hunt told The Courier-Mail he hadn’t given up hope of a Broncos recall after returning to rugby league this year with Souths Logan.
“I’d love to,” Hunt said 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.”
Hunt 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.
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.
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.
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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 believes his ordeals have helped him become a mentor to younger players at Souths Logan as he eyes a possible career in NRL coaching.
“I don’t think – I know I am a better person,” Hunt said last month.
“But there is no stopping someone from not giving me an opportunity because of my past.
“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 (coaching) happens at a professional level that will be great. If it doesn’t, I’ll be doing something meaningful anyway.”
Originally published as Broncos coach Kevin Walters explains why he wants Karmichael Hunt at Red Hill
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