NRL 2023: Broncos set to poach Ben Hunt from Dragons in signing coup

Ben Hunt could be playing for the Broncos as early as next week as the path is cleared for the Maroons star to make a stunning return to Brisbane.

Ben Hunt looks on during the Dragons’ clash with New Zealand Warriors at WIN Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

The Broncos are set to pull off the signing coup of the season by poaching Ben Hunt from the Dragons.

In a bombshell development, this masthead can reveal Hunt will formalise a release with St George Illawarra as early as Monday — clearing the path for the Queensland Origin star to make a stunning return to the Broncos.

The Broncos have yet to make a formal approach to Hunt, but Brisbane bosses will contact the Dragons on Sunday to discuss an immediate transfer deal that would see the Maroons ace finish the rest of the season at Red Hill.

The NRL has put Queensland clubs on notice over anti-tampering rules and the Broncos will respect Hunt’s contract status by reaching out to the Dragons.

Hunt’s mooted return to the Broncos will be a four-month cameo.

While the Broncos have the salary-cap space to accommodate Hunt this season, they cannot afford him long-term and that will pave the way for the 34-year-old to most likely ink a two-year deal with the Titans for 2024-25.

Brisbane’s clandestine move for Hunt shapes as a massive recruitment coup.

His signing would rubberstamp ladder ladders the Broncos as serious contenders to win this year’s title and break Brisbane’s 17-year premiership drought.

Ben Hunt is set to gain a release from the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

In the wake of Origin II on Wednesday night, Hunt revealed he wanted out of the Dragons and was ready to return home to Queensland ahead of crisis talks with incoming St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan on Monday.

Now the Broncos are ready to strike.

Barring an eleventh-hour miracle pitch from Flanagan, Hunt will broker a release on Monday and ramp-up negotiations with Broncos and Titans chiefs.

The Broncos have privately discussed signing Hunt.

If their recruitment raid comes to fruition, Hunt will slot into hooker and could be available for the Broncos as early as next week’s clash against Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins at the Gabba.

It is a commendable move by Broncos coach Kevin Walters. His son Billy has been Brisbane’s first-choice hooker all season but Walters is putting the Broncos’ ambitions first in his relentless quest to deliver the club’s first premiership since 2006.

Speaking at his official press conference on Saturday in the eve of the Broncos-Titans derby, Walters said Hunt would be a welcome addition to any NRL roster.

“I won’t make any comment on Ben, I will let the NRL sort that out and we’ll just wait and see what happens,” he said.

“To be fair, I think most clubs could do with Ben Hunt in their squad.

“Not too many clubs would say no to him.

“We see it all the time with Ben ... his work ethic, he is skilful and tough, but he is with the Dragons, so we’re not interested ... he is with the Dragons.”

Ben Hunt could be available for the Broncos as early as next week’s clash against Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins. Picture: NRL Photos

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

“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.”

While Bennett has ruled out making a play for Hunt, the Broncos have crunched the salary-cap numbers and can fund a subsidised deal for a four-month cameo.

Hunt’s proposed return to Red Hill would give the 304-game NRL champion a glorious chance to exorcise his Broncos demons.

Hunt was Brisbane’s halfback in the 2015 grand final and it was his gut-wrenching dropped ball from a kick restart in extra-time that enabled rival playmaker Johnathan Thurston to snap the field goal that sealed the Cowboys’ historic premiership win.

A Broncos homecoming would allow Hunt, who played 187 games for Brisbane between 2009-17, to chase the elusive premiership ring he craves.

A return to Brisbane would give Ben Hunt the chance to exorcise his Broncos demons. Picture: Getty Images

There have been some major mid-season transfers in recent years.

In 2021, Tevita Pangai Jnr was released by the Broncos late in the season and played an integral role in Penrith’s charge to the premiership.

Prop Matt Lodge was let go by the Warriors last year and joined the Roosters, winning his first eight games as the Bondi glamour club charged to the playoffs.

Luciano Leilua was released by the Tigers last year to join North Queensland and became a key figure in the Cowboys’ run to the preliminary finals.

The Broncos allowed Reece Walsh out of his contract in 2021 to join the Warriors, where he made such an immediate impact he was picked to make his Origin debut after just seven NRL games.

In 2009, Brett Finch was released by Parramatta and thrown a lifeline by Melbourne, with the Storm playmaker going on to haunt the Eels with victory in that year’s grand final.

Now Hunt can chase a fairytale at the Broncos before finishing his career at the Titans.

“The priority is to come home to Queensland. That’s where we want to be,” Hunt said after Origin II.

“I have put a lot of thought into it and what comes first to me is always my family. We are just ready to get out and come home.

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

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

Originally published as NRL 2023: Broncos set to poach Ben Hunt from Dragons in signing coup