NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos enter the race for Ben Hunt, re-sign rising prop Xavier Willison

A River City rumble is brewing between the Broncos and Dolphins, as Brisbane enter the race for Ben Hunt, while also securing the signature of one of their rising stars.

The Broncos have entered the race for Ben Hunt. Picture: NRL Photos

The Broncos have entered the race for Ben Hunt as a River City Rumble breaks out with expansion rivals the Dolphins in the battle for the Queensland Origin star’s signature.

This masthead can reveal the Broncos have made preliminary inquiries with Hunt’s management to gauge the former Dragons skipper’s appeal in a possible Red Hill reunion.

Hunt has become one of the most sought-after players on the open market after the Dragons granted their captain an immediate release on Wednesday following 12 months of contractual ructions.

The Dolphins and Bulldogs are considered the frontrunners to secure Hunt, with Redcliffe boss Terry Reader putting out the welcome mat, saying the NRL’s 17th team is ready to begin talks.

But the Broncos shape as the dark horse in a bidding frenzy that could also include the Sydney Roosters.

The Broncos have entered the race for Ben Hunt. Picture: NRL Photos

With boom five-eighth Ezra Mam expected to miss the opening months of the 2025 premiership following his Uber car-crash saga, the Broncos are exploring a Plan B and Hunt has entered the equation.

The Broncos have not tabled a formal offer at this stage, but have lodged an expression of interest as Hunt weighs up what shapes as the final contract of his NRL career.

Hunt was linked with a Broncos cameo last season after requesting a release from the Dragons, but the Red V played hardball at the time as incoming coach Shane Flanagan urged the skipper to show faith in St George Illawarra.

Now, with Hunt having lost all faith in the Dragons, triggering an amicable split with Flanagan, a move from the Red V to Red Hill is one of several options on the table.

The 34-year-old has called Sydney home for the past seven years but Hunt’s manager Col Davis said the Maroons hooker would be open to a return to Queensland.

“Ben is open to all options at the moment,” he said.

“We’re in no rush to make a decision.

“’Hunty’ is currently with the Kangaroos (at the Pacific Championships) so I will talk to him when his commitments are over.”

Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam is expected to miss the start of the 2025 season. Picture: NRL Imagery.

If Hunt’s primary motivation is money, the Broncos cannot win a bidding war.

The Dolphins and Bulldogs both have more salary-cap room, but Hunt has a history with Brisbane, graded by the club and playing 187 games across nine seasons with the Broncos.

Hunt was Brisbane’s halfback in their 2015 grand-final loss to the Cowboys and could have a sense of unfinished business after going so close to breaking the Broncos’ premiership drought.

Hunt will be seeking in excess of $800,000 a season, money the Broncos currently don’t have under the salary cap unless there was a drastic change to their roster.

Hunt played 187 first grade games for the Broncos from 2009 to 2017 before moving to the Dragons. Picture: AAP

Mam’s future at the Broncos remains under a cloud following his recent off-field car-crash saga, but Brisbane are reluctant to sack the pivot pending the outcome of a probe by Queensland police.

The Broncos are bracing for Mam to miss up to three months of the 2025 premiership, prompting Brisbane to consider Hunt to potentially partner Adam Reynolds in the halves.

Brisbane forward Kobe Hetherington will meet with new coach Michael Maguire next week to discuss his future and if he sought a move to a Sydney club, that would free up funds for the Broncos to up the ante for Hunt.

Hunt has spoken of his desire to return home to Queensland and that opens the door for the Dolphins, who have the salary-cap funds to outbid the Bulldogs.

BRONCOS LOCK DOWN RISING STAR

—Peter Badel

Brisbane have continued their retention drive with boom forward Xavier Willison pledging his future to the Broncos.

Just 24 hours after Reece Walsh inked a four-year extension with the Broncos, Willison has also resisted going to free agency by agreeing to terms on a two-year upgrade.

Off-contract at the end of next season, the 22-year-old will remain at the Broncos until the end of 2027.

It is another signing coup for the Broncos, who view Willison as one of the rising stars of their forward pack and a bona fide contender to partner Payne Haas next year in Brisbane’s engine room.

Xavier Willison has agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension. Picture: NRL Imagery

The athletic prop took big steps forward last season, playing 19 games as he established himself as an NRL regular.

The Broncos Academy product averaged more than 100 running metres per game across 2024 as well as making 23 tackles per game at 94 per cent efficiency, in addition to 38 tackles breaks and three tries.

Willison would have attracted major interest on the open market but the New Zealand-born forward says he is relishing life at the Broncos.

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else, I can’t imagine not being a Bronco,” said Willison.

“I owe so much to this club, without them I probably wouldn’t even be playing rugby league.

“They gave me the opportunity to move over from New Zealand and live my dream when I was 15, and I’ll forever be grateful.

“The people here have become like my second family and I can’t wait to stay around the boys.

“Being a dad now, too, makes it extra special.

“This is the kind of environment I want to bring my little girl up in. It gives you that extra motivation to play for her now, too.

“There’s plenty of hard work ahead, and it’s up to us now to turn up every day and do the work together.”

Willison took big steps forward last season, establishing himself as a regular first-grader after playing 19 games. Picture: NRL Imagery

Willison had chalked up 30 first-grade appearances for the Broncos since making his NRL debut against the Cowboys in 2021.

The 199cm forward has overcome some major injuries in recent years, including a knee reconstruction, but is set to blossom under the tutelage of new Broncos coach Michael Maguire.

“Xavier came into our Academy as a 15-year-old and it has been really pleasing to see his continued development into an NRL player off the back of plenty of hard work,” Broncos recruitment boss Simon Scanlan said.

“He is at the start of his career and we are looking forward to his growth playing in a forward pack alongside the likes of Pat Carrigan and Payne Haas.

“He has a strong work ethic which makes him a Michael Maguire-style of player and he will thrive in the culture of hard work.

“We are really proud of Xavier for his journey as a Bronco so far and we are excited that he has chosen to remain part of the Broncos family.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Brisbane Broncos enter the race for Ben Hunt, re-sign rising prop Xavier Willison