NRL 2023: Brisbane Broncos concede defeat in battle for Ben Hunt

Brisbane chief executive Dave Donaghy confirmed the club contacted the Dragons about securing immediate transfer deal for Ben Hunt to return.

Ben Hunt. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty

The Broncos have revealed their interest in Ben Hunt but have conceded defeat in the battle for the disgruntled Dragons captain’s signature.

Brisbane chief executive Dave Donaghy confirmed a report by this masthead that the Broncos would contact the Dragons to discuss an immediate transfer deal for Hunt to return to Red Hill this season.

In the wake of Origin II last Wednesday night, Hunt revealed he wants out of the Dragons to return to Queensland - opening the door for the Broncos and Titans to make a play for the Maroons hooker.

The Broncos crunched their salary-cap numbers and deemed they were able to fund a short-term deal if Hunt was prepared to embark on a four-month cameo with Brisbane for the rest of this season.

But Brisbane have abandoned their pursuit of Hunt after the Dragons dug their heels in at a crisis meeting on Monday, insisting they will enforce the captain’s two-year deal which expires at the end of 2025.

Ben Hunt left Brisbane at the end of the 2017 season. Picture: AAP/Julian Smith

Broncos coach Kevin Walters had plans to deploy Hunt at hooker in a shared role with Billy Walters, but Donaghy says Brisbane are walking away after talks with Dragons bosses failed to deliver a transfer solution.

“I had one conversation with (Dragons CEO) Ryan Webb over the weekend where, after seeing public comments in the media, I inquired as to Ben’s availability,” Donaghy said.

“Ben is contracted to the Dragons and we respect that and we move on.

“We are really happy with the squad we have here at the Broncos.

“They’ve been doing a great job and our focus as a club is solely on this week’s battle against Redcliffe at the Gabba.”

Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy. Picture: David Clark

The Dragons’ hardline stance has been described as a “band-aid solution”. While Hunt is expected to complete this season with the Red V, the Test star is committed to exploring other options and that makes the Titans a serious contender for his signature.

Brisbane do not have the salary-cap room to sign Hunt for 2024 and beyond.

Their Queensland neighbours the Titans recently registered fresh interest in Hunt, armed with a $900,000-a-season deal which they will table if the playmaker is given permission to negotiate with NRL rivals.

Australia coach Meninga, also a Titans consultant, urged the Dragons to part ways with the unhappy Hunt.

“It’s untenable and very messy,” said Fox League analyst Meninga.

“That’s the thing that upsets everyone involved in rugby league.

“We all understand Ben’s not happy at the Dragons and wants to move home for personal reasons.

“Just fix it. Get through the next couple of days and have an outcome that Ben and the Dragons are satisfied with and move on, because it’s become a bit of a saga.”

Hunt said last week: “I have put a lot of thought into it and what comes first to me is always my family.

“The priority is to come home to Queensland. That’s where we want to be.

“We are just ready to get out and come home.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Brisbane Broncos concede defeat in battle for Ben Hunt