Adam Reynolds reveals Brisbane Broncos assistants are hatching game plan for Ben Hunt

Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds has revealed assistant coach Trent Barrett is already plotting a game plan for Ben Hunt in the halves, as the former Dragons No.7 edges closer to a Red Hill return.

Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds has revealed assistant coach Trent Barrett is already plotting a game plan for Ben Hunt in the halves, as the former Dragons No.7 edges closer to a Brisbane return.

Hunt is expected to make a decision about his playing future in the coming days with the Broncos the hot favourites to snare his signature despite the Dolphins making a last-ditch $1.4m offer.

Canterbury officially withdrew its interest in Hunt on Sunday after meeting with the playmaker last week, paving the way for the Broncos to land their man.

If the Broncos secure Hunt the playmaker is expected to fill the void left by Ezra Mam, who is set to miss the start of Brisbane’s 2025 campaign because of off-field indiscretions.

Mam is facing a lengthy suspension after the five-eighth was charged with drug driving and driving without a licence following a two-vehicle crash in October.

It leaves Reynolds with the task of forming a formidable halves combination with Hunt over the summer in preparation for round 1.

Trent Barrett and Michael Maguire watch over Broncos training. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

The duo, both turning 35 next year, are set to be the oldest halves pairing in the NRL but will boast a whopping 621 games between them.

Reynolds revealed Michael Maguire’s assistant coaches Barrett and Matt Ballin have been drawing up a plan for how the two career halves would share play-making duties if they team up in 2025.

“We have some smart assistant coaches here working in the background figuring all that out now,” Reynolds said.

“If it happens to be the case, we’ll cross that path then.”

While Reynolds conceded Hunt’s addition would not instantly solve all of Brisbane’s woes, which included crashing out of top eight contention in 2024 after a grand final appearance 12 months earlier, the experience of the veteran would be a shot in the arm to the club’s hopes next year.

“He could a lot (for the Broncos). He’s a great player, what he brings to the football field, he’s a leader off the football field as well, which is pretty important in any organisation,” Reynolds said.

“He’s an X-factor among some of the game’s greats. Obviously, he’d be a big benefit if we get him here.”

The eventual return of Mam into the side will also set up a battle for spots in the halves, that is likely to push Hunt into a hooking role.

“If you’ve got competition in the squad, it’s going to make you a better player and Ben would add to that if he did arrive here,” Reynolds said.

Adam Reynolds . pic: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

“He’s a competitor, brings a lot of experience and no doubt it would be a great addition to the squad if we can get him.”

Hunt is also shaping as an option to replace Reynolds in the no. 7 in 2026, when the Broncos skipper is expected to call time on his career.

But Reynolds was in no rush to make a call on his retirement on Monday.

“I don’t know, we’ll see how the body is feeling half way through the year,” Reynolds said.

“I’m excited for the season, I have loved working with the assistant coaches Trent Barrett and Ben Te’o … they have all bought something unique and different to the group.”

Originally published as Adam Reynolds reveals Brisbane Broncos assistants are hatching game plan for Ben Hunt