Inside the Brisbane Broncos’ BBQ heist to secure Ben Hunt following release from St George Illawarra Dragons

It was the trusty Aussie barbecue that turned the tide in Brisbane’s favour in their quest to lure Ben Hunt back to Red Hill. See inside the secret Broncos supper that orchestrated the Hunt heist.

Brisbane Broncos player Ben Hunt at Suncorp Stadium ahead of the final again Penrith on Friday night.

It was the secret Broncos supper that orchestrated the Ben Hunt heist that has seen Brisbane rocket into contention to win next year’s NRL premiership.

This masthead can reveal Brisbane’s series of meetings that convinced Hunt to reject the Dolphins and Roosters and embark on a Red Hill homecoming in his quest to smash the Broncos’ 19-year premiership drought.

The Broncos completed a Sydney ambush on Tuesday, securing Hunt to a two-year deal as the 34-year-old outlined his mission to deliver Brisbane’s first title since 2006.

And it was a trusty, old-fashioned, Aussie barbecue that turned the tide in Brisbane’s favour as the Broncos went back to the future with a carefully constructed plan to lure their man back to Red Hill.

The Broncos surged in betting markets from $17 to $8 to win the 2025 premiership following Hunt’s signing and the Queensland Origin star declared he is desperate to right the wrongs of Brisbane’s 2015 grand-final heartbreak.

Hunt famously dropped the extra-time kick-off that led to Cowboys champion Johnathan Thurston’s title-winning field goal. Hunt broke down in tears as the Cowboys celebrated. Now ‘Dozer’ has the chance to go out on his terms by leading the Broncos to a title wonderland.

Ben Hunt is returning to the Broncos. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

A chance at redemption after 2015 heartbreak. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

“This is very special,” he said.

“To be able to finish my career at the Broncos is something that I never thought I’d have the opportunity to do and I’ll cherish it.

“It’s definitely a club that has meant a lot to me, I’ve been involved with the Broncos since I was 13.

“I’ve been away for seven years but I’ve watched every single Broncos game since I’ve been gone - I never thought this would happen, so I’m pretty excited.

“The chance now to head back and chase that premiership together, is a dream come true.

“It was a tough decision for myself and my family, but my heart was really always driving me back to the Broncos, and in the end, it became really clear.”

Ben Hunt through the years.

The clarity was crystallised as Brisbane ramped up their pursuit amid claims Hunt was settled in Sydney, putting the Roosters and Bulldogs firmly in the picture.

It is understood the Roosters offered Hunt a two-year deal worth around $600,000 annually, plus a job for the playmaker upon retirement in 2027.

The Dolphins were the highest bidders with a $1.4 million, two-year package, but it was Hunt’s initial trip to Queensland a fortnight ago that enabled the Broncos to enact their poaching raid.

The Broncos had two meetings with Hunt, including a clandestine follow-up trip to Sydney, but it was their first catch-up at Brisbane’s opulent $27 million high-performance centre at Red Hill that helped engineer the heist.

The Broncos tugged at Hunt’s heartstrings.

The Broncos hit Ben Hunt with a dose of nostalgia during their meeting with the star halfback. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

When he walked into the building, Hunt and wife Bridget headed upstairs to level two with Broncos boss Dave Donaghy, coach Michael Maguire and chairman Karl Morris.

The couple were greeted by a familiar sight.

Veteran club staffer Tony ‘Springer’ Spencer was there cooking up a BBQ overlooking the Broncos playing field. It was like old times. Brisbane’s famous BBQ after their weekly captain’s run is a 36-year tradition - just as Hunt remembered in his first stint at the club.

The Broncos knew there was nothing flash about the kid from Dingo in Central Queensland. Forget the fancy wining-and-dining at a five-star restaurant on the Brisbane river. Hunt is a simple steak-and-burger man and the parties chatted comfortably over basic fare as the Broncos began their pitch to bring the 334-game veteran home.

The Broncos tugged at the heartstrings to bring Hunt back to the club.

Maguire spoke of his cultural vision and the “romanticism” of Hunt returning home to complete the premiership puzzle he almost put together in 2015.

One piece still remains. Maguire believes Hunt can complete the title picture.

“I’ve never had the opportunity to work under ‘Madge’ (Maguire) but meeting and speaking with him and Dave during this process – I know he’s someone I believe in and I can’t wait to work under him,” Hunt said.

The Bulldogs entered the equation, having talks with Hunt last week, but that prompted the Broncos to step-up the hunt with a hit-and-run trip to Sydney.

Donaghy and recruitment boss Simon Scanlan flew south for a second round of talks with Hunt and his wife.

When the Bulldogs opted not to make an offer, it was down to the Roosters and the Broncos, whose two-year package of $1.1 million was augmented by Hunt’s history with Brisbane, with whom he debuted in 2009.

“Ben wants to win a premiership and there is that romanticism with the Broncos,” Donaghy said.

“He is a competitor and a warrior. He has played 300-odd games at the highest level of the NRL and it’s a testament to his character and how tough he is.

“We are confident Ben has a lot of good footy in front of him and he will bring a lot to what Madge is doing.

“It’s a great way for Ben to finish his career at the Broncos and play a key role for this group and our club.”

With Ezra Mam facing suspension for the opening of the 2025 premiership, Hunt is expected to start the season at five-eighth alongside skipper Adam Reynolds.

When Mam returns, the Australian utility has the ability to slot into hooker, forming a formidable spine including superstar fullback Reece Walsh that makes Brisbane a serious title contender.

Maguire says the acquisition of Hunt is significant as the Broncos chase a top-four fightback next season.

“Ben has been a Bronco since he was 13. Since then, he’s proven himself at every level of the game,” he said.

“He’ll bring us great depth and will be a wonderful fit for what we are building – not just on the field. He’ll play a big part in the culture we want to create together as a group.

“Like all of us, Ben wants to achieve success, and it would be incredibly special if he can do that back here at the Broncos, where it all began.

“These types of storylines don’t come up all that often in sport.”

Originally published as Inside the Brisbane Broncos’ BBQ heist to secure Ben Hunt following release from St George Illawarra Dragons