NRL 2023: Ben Hunt reflects on leaving Brisbane Broncos and playing 300 NRL games

Ahead of his 300th NRL game, Ben Hunt reflects on his high-pressure move from the Broncos to the Dragons and the burning desire that motivates him to continue in the game.

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Former Broncos star Ben Hunt admits his move to the Dragons “hasn’t worked out the way I would have liked” and he still has a burning desire to taste NRL premiership success as his future at St George Illawarra hangs in the balance.

Hunt will become the 47th player to reach the 300-game NRL milestone when the Dragons face the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday night.

It will be a special moment for the Rockhampton product, who has shown tremendous durability and resilience throughout a 15-season first grade career.

Ben Hunt was the Toyota Cup Player of the Year in 2008.

Hunt, 33, made his NRL debut for the Broncos in 2009 and played 187 games for Brisbane before being lured south by a massive contract offer from the Dragons in 2018.

But the Broncos’ 2015 grand final loss to North Queensland remains the closest he has come to tasting NRL premiership glory, with the Dragons facing five straight years of missing the finals.

The Dragons have only won one finals match (2018) during Hunt’s stint at St George Illawarra and the Maroons star said he dreamt of more success when he left Red Hill.

“I definitely didn’t think I’d leave the Broncos early on in my career,” he said.

Hunt makes a break for the Broncos back in 2010. Picture: Darren England

“I loved living in Brisbane and my family loved it. It wasn’t something I thought of for years. It was one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever made.

“It probably hasn’t worked out the way I would have liked it to, but I definitely don’t regret it. We’re enjoying our time in Sydney. We love living down there, it’s all part of life.

“It’s obviously the results. You play because you want to win and the last couple of years have been a bit tough.

“I’m still enjoying my footy and feel like I’m playing pretty well. I’ve had some great opportunities to play Origin and go to the World Cup, which I’m grateful for.”

(L-R) Anthony Griffin first teamed up with Ben Hunt at the Broncos. Picture: Jono Searle

Hunt will lead the Dragons out at Queensland Country Bank Stadium looking to snap a five-game losing streak which has St George Illawarra coach Anthony Griffin on the verge of being sacked.

It seems as though even a win against the Cowboys won’t be enough to save Griffin, with Dragons powerbrokers reportedly already canvassing potential coaching successors.

Hunt has developed a tight bond with Griffin since coming through Brisbane’s inaugural under-20s team in 2008 under him.

Hunt has signed with the Dragons until the end of 2025, but admits his future could become clouded if Griffin is moved on and St George Illawarra show little signs of contending for a premiership in the coming years.

Hunt has played 14 times for the Maroons. Picture: AAPImage/Dan Peled

“I debuted when he was under-20s coach and 300 games later he’s here again, which is pretty special for us,” Hunt said.

“We went separate ways for a bit and did our own things. Fate had it that we’d come back together at the Dragons.

“I’ve signed for another two years. Hopefully we can turn the corner and get the club going well again.

“I don’t know (if my plans will change if Griffin is sacked), to be honest. It’s in the back of my mind, but it’s not something I’ve put a lot of thought to.

“I’ve really been concentrating on getting our team better and getting some wins. There’s some guys here that are really trying hard and doing our best but we’re not getting the results.

“That (winning a premiership) is definitely something that’s always sitting in the back of my mind. You play the game to win and to get a premiership would be special.

“That’s what I’m chasing.”

Ben Hunt and Johnathan Thurston after the 2015 NRL Grand Final. Picture: Adam Head

Hunt has developed into one of the NRL’s elite playmakers as well as a 12-Test and 14-Origin representative, which has seen him crowned Queensland’s player of the series twice (2019 and 2021).

But he has also had to overcome setbacks and criticism throughout a stellar career.

Hunt infamously dropped the golden-point kick-off which led to the Cowboys winning the 2015 grand final and he was criticised heavily in the early years of his Dragons tenure after signing a massive $1.2 million-a-season contract.

Yet he has emerged a better player and last year produced one of the best seasons of his career to finish third in the Dally M Medal voting.

“Those years were pretty tough,” Hunt said.

Ben Hunt has been doing it tough at the Dragons. Picture: NRL Photos

“In the first year, 2018, we had a pretty good season but after that everything went a bit pear-shaped and it got tough.

“I wasn’t enjoying my footy as much as I could because I was listening to the media and outside noise. Once I got away from that, everything changed for me and I started to enjoy it.

“I definitely learnt a lot through 2019-21. It was a pretty hard time but I came out the other side of it.

“The big thing was getting away from media and outside noise and listening to people you trust, your family and coaches that want the best for you.

“I feel like I came out the other side a better person for it.”

If Hunt remains relatively injury-free, he could crack the 350-game milestone by the end of 2025, putting him in the top five for the most matches played.

Only Cameron Smith (430), Cooper Cronk (372), Darren Lockyer (355) and Terry Lamb (350) have reached that pinnacle.

For now, Hunt wants to savour his 300th milestone and lift the Dragons out of the NRL’s cellar.

“I don’t think it’s completely sunk in,” he said.

“You understand how big it is, not a lot of players have done it. But until I’ve played it and can look back on it, I don’t think it’ll sink in.

“When you play the game we play, you’ve got to have some luck to stay healthy. There’s a lot of great players that haven’t played 300 games because of injuries.

“I’ve had a look at some of the names that have done it and it feels pretty special.

“The biggest focus at the moment is winning games for the Dragons. I’d trade the milestone to get a couple of wins on the board.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Ben Hunt reflects on leaving Brisbane Broncos and playing 300 NRL games