Broncos set to poach Hunt from Dragons with transfer deal in stunning coup

The NRL premiership race has been flipped on its head with news emerging Ben Hunt is set to sign with one of the 2023 title favourites.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 03: Ben Hunt of the Dragons makes a break during the round 13 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Brisbane Broncos at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on June 03, 2021, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Broncos are set to sign wantaway Dragons skipper Ben Hunt on a short-term deal for the rest of the 2023 season after he formalises a release from St George Illawarra.

The Daily Telegraph reported Hunt is set to be granted a release from the Dragons as early as Monday to make an immediate switch to the Broncos for the rest of the season.

Hunt is then tipped to sign a lucrative two-year deal to finish his career at the Titans from 2024.

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The Broncos have yet to make a formal approach to Hunt, but Brisbane will contact the Dragons on Sunday to discuss a transfer deal, which would involve a transfer fee similar to the one that saw the Bulldogs take Karl Oloapu in exhange for $500,000.

The NRL has put Queensland clubs on notice over anti-tampering rules, with the Broncos to go to the Dragons before speaking with Hunt, who is contracted until the end of 2025.

The Broncos have enough money in their salary cap to sign Hunt for the remainder of the 2023 season on a deal worth an estimated $200,000.

Hunt is expected to play hooker or five-eighth, with Adam Reynolds the captain and halfback of the team.

Ben Hunt is tipped for an emotional return to his former club.

The signature of the Kangaroos and Maroons hooker is set to make the Broncos one of the favourites to win the 2023 premiership, which would be their first since 2006.

Hunt played in the last grand final for the Broncos in 2015, dropping a crucial catch in extra time off the kick-off that gave Johnathan Thurston the field position to ice the victory for the Cowboys with a field goal.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters denied the club has spoken to Hunt on Saturday, but admitted the club would be interested if he became available.

“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,” Walters 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.”

Brisbane great Corey Parker said it won’t be a great look if Hunt leaves the 15th-placed Dragons for the top-of-the-table Broncos.

“Ben Hunt is the best player they have on their books, he’s their highest paid, he’s their captain. For them to just let Ben Hunt go, I like him very much as a person but from a business perspective you can’t just let your No. 1 player leave your club to go and help somebody else,” Parker said.

“Ben Hunt has been on record saying he wants to play 7, if he goes to Brisbane he’s obviously going to be playing 9. The optics don’t look good for Ben Hunt, going from a team languishing near last to going to a team coming first to go play in the 9 position.

“I’m ok if he wants to leave the club, but maybe at the end of the year when there’s an opportunity for both parties to separate.”

Ben Hunt wants out of the Dragons immediately. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Parker also emphasised the Dragons can play hard ball with their skipper.

“Very simply, the Dragons can just say no and they move forward with Ben Hunt playing at No. 7 and Ben’s a proud guy, he’ll go out there and give it his all,” he said.

“Or they’ll say Kevvie we want something in return, whether it’s a financial gain and or a player or Billy Walters. Reckon Billy would give up his son to take Ben Hunt? I’m not really sure. But just from a business perspective, you can’t let your No. 1 player, your highest ticket earner, the person that puts bums on seats, just go to another club.

“Hypothetically, say Ben Hunt goes to the Broncos and wins a comp at No. 9, it just looks so bad.

“Without doubt Ben Hunt is going to leave the Dragons, I just don’t think now is the time.”

Hunt has played 116 of his 304 NRL games for the Dragons since moving from the Broncos in 2018 and has spent the best part of six seasons at St George Illawarra.

The 33-year-old played the first nine seasons of his career with the Broncos after debuting in 2009.

Walters told Triple M radio last week most Queensland teams would be interested in Hunt.

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

“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.”

The Broncos were reportedly furious with the NRL after they were asked for any correspondence they have had with Hunt by NRL salary cap auditor Matt Faulkner.

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy denied Brisbane had any contact with Hunt, despite comments from coach Kevin Walters that they would be interested if he came off contract.

Ben Hunt could turn the Broncos into title favourites. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

“There haven’t been any negotiations with Ben, and we’re not in for him because he’s not off contract,” Broncos chief Dave Donaghy said.

“I saw Kevvy’s quotes about Ben, which basically said nobody had spoken to him, but if a player like that was off contract, the club would consider him. Every club would.”

Hunt revealed his motivations for asking for a release were primarily around moving closer to family support networks, but admitted the chance to avenge his 2015 grand final defeat is part of his decision.

“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.”

Now Hunt can chase a fairy tale premiership at the Broncos, before finishing his career at the Titans.

Originally published as Broncos set to poach Hunt from Dragons with transfer deal in stunning coup