NRL 2020: Ben Hunt linked to shock Broncos return

Ben Hunt has copped a stack of criticism at the Dragons — now the $6m man is being linked with a shock homecoming to the Broncos.

Could Ben Hunt return to Brisbane?

There’s speculation St George’s $6 million man Ben Hunt may head home to Brisbane if the two clubs can work out an arrangement that suits them both.

Hunt steered the Broncos to the 2015 grand final but since joining the Dragons in 2018 on a monster five-year deal worth $1.2 million a season, has struggled to live up to his pay packet and has copped regular criticism from pundits and fans.

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He’s been shifted from halfback to hooker, which many agree is his best position, but is reportedly still keen to prove he has what it takes to play as a top-line No. 7.

Hunt has two years remaining on his contract at the Dragons but Daily Telegraph rugby league writer Dean Ritchie says there’s a chance he may leave early to return home to the Sunshine State.

“Try as Ben Hunt has, I don’t think he’s quite attained the levels of performance that justifies the $1.2 million (a season),” Ritchie said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“I think if Ben Hunt could go home to Brisbane, where he has family, I think he’d be more comfortable in life.

“It would be a matter of working out how much you would pay Ben Hunt, in terms of the Broncos and the Dragons.

“The Broncos want him, the Dragons feel they want to keep him. It’s not a matter of just saying, ‘Go’, but it’s whether they could manoeuvre something to ease up some salary cap pressures, which they’re after.”

Brisbane’s lack of experience has been badly exposed in its year from hell and Hunt, despite his form fluctuations, would be a valuable addition to the Broncos’ spine.

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Ben Hunt has been burdened by his $6m price tag.

The Daily Telegraph reports if Hunt does go to Brisbane, both teams may split his pay packet down the middle and pay him $600,000 each. While the Dragons would be contributing to the salary of a player no longer with them, such a deal would also free up $600,000 in their salary cap.

However, given the Broncos and Dragons are yet to appoint coaches next year after parting ways with Anthony Seibold and Paul McGregor mid-season, you’d think any arrangement involving Hunt would be delayed until the positions have been confirmed.

Brisbane sits second-last on the ladder with just three wins all season and needs to make some drastic changes if it holds any hope of improving in 2021.

Channel 7 reports a clean-out is on the cards at Red Hill, with $500,000-a-year forward Joe Ofahengaue one player the Broncos are keen to cut ties with even though he is contracted until 2023.

The network also reports injured star Jack Bird is almost certain to leave, while Brisbane is considering getting rid of under-fire five-eighth Anthony Milford, who hasn’t been performing like a million-dollar payer.

David Fifita has signed with Gold Coast for next season and former captain Darius Boyd is retiring at the end of the year.