NRL 2024: Michael Maguire open to Ben Hunt rejoining Broncos, but veteran halfback may face a six-figure sacrifice

Michael Maguire is excited by the potential of having Ben Hunt on his books, but there’s a lot of financial finessing to do before a deal can be landed, leaving the veteran halfback facing a major sacrifice.

North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos from 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville. Broncos Ben Hunt. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Broncos coach Michael Maguire would relish having “world class’’ Ben Hunt on his books but the veteran may face a six figure sacrifice to chase his home town premiership dream.

The mutual attraction between Hunt and the Broncos is strong but there is much financial finessing to do before any deal could be landed.

Hunt would love to return to the Broncos for one last tilt at a title that literally slipped through his fingers in the 2015 grand final against the Cowboys.

Maguire would not talk about contract specifics but the reality for Brisbane is that their salary cap restrictions would mean their offer would be expected to fall short of rivals such as Sydney Roosters who have plenty of money and salary cap space after a group of senior players left the club.

“One thing I won’t do is talk about contracts but someone of Ben’s calibre coming to the club would certainly be great,’’ Maguire said after his players sweltered in 30 degree heat in a deliberately brutal opening training session on Monday

“Benny is a world class player. I have competed against him many times when I have coached against him. He has got plenty of experience and we all knows what he brings.

Michael Maguire said bringing Hunt back to the club would “certainly be great”. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“It’s about letting him go through the Australian (team) space this week and then he’s probably sit down and work out what he wants to do.’’

Hunt said in the Australian camp that Brisbane held special “romantic’’ appeal to him, a sentiment Maguire was pleased to hear.

“That says a fair bit about the place, the experiences he has had. Someone of his calibre coming in and around players like we have shows how special the Broncos is. It’s a work in progress but I will talk to the right people after he finishes up at the Aussies.’’

Hunt would be a precious and priceless late signing for the Broncos as they wait for the result of a second police drug test on playmaker Ezra Mam after a car crash he was involved him after allegedly colliding with another car when driving without a licence.

Ben Hunt played at the Broncos from 2009 to 2017. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

“I couldn’t tell you the timeline. I wouldn’t have a clue. It is a work in progress I guess. Ezra is working on himself at the moment. It’s a really important part of it.

“He is working on where he is at. I have stayed in contact with him. I met him four years ago. He is a good young man. He is going through that and he needs to sort himself out and work his way through that.’’

The Broncos salary cap has triggered intense speculation that the club may not be able to keep both Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo but Maguire has not given up the fight to keep them and it sound as if he trying to make Cobbo a project player.

“They are two players I would like to (keep).’’

Asked what he liked about Cobbo, Maguire said “a lot. He is strong and in my opinion I think I can really grow his game. He’s young. I feel I could (help) grow him as a player and a person as well.’’

Asked whether he was happy with the physical condition Cobbo had returned to training in, Maguire said diplomatically “there is room for improvement in any player. It is nice to see him applying himself and he was in real good spirits when I spoke to him.’’

Originally published as NRL 2024: Michael Maguire open to Ben Hunt rejoining Broncos, but veteran halfback may face a six-figure sacrifice