NRL Integrity Unit launches inquiry into Broncos dealings with Ben Hunt

The NRL integrity unit has begun inquiries into Brisbane’s dealings with Dragons star Ben Hunt after fielding a formal complaint against the Broncos.

The NRL has launched an inquiry into dealings between Ben Hunt and the Broncos. Picture: NRL Photos

The NRL has launched an inquiry into Brisbane’s dealings with Dragons skipper Ben Hunt after fielding a formal complaint against the Broncos.

It is understood the Dragons were not the ones to make the complaint.

This masthead can reveal the NRL integrity unit has begun a preliminary analysis of Brisbane’s links to Queensland Origin star Hunt earlier this season as League Central’s anti-tampering crackdown intensifies.

The Broncos-Dolphins expansion rivalry exploded on Thursday when the NRL slapped the new Redcliffe franchise with a $25,000 fine for failing to provide adequate records of negotiations with Brisbane young gun Deine Mariner.

The Dolphins breach notice arrived after a formal complaint from the Broncos that triggered a nine-month investigation from the NRL.

Now the Broncos could become caught in the crosshairs of another NRL probe, with the integrity unit looking into Brisbane’s alleged pursuit of Hunt in June, at a time when the Dragons playmaker revealed he wanted out of the Red V.

The NRL has launched an inquiry into alleged links between the Broncos and Ben Hunt. Picture: NRL Photos

The NRL declined to comment on the Broncos-Hunt matter.

There is no suggestion the Broncos are guilty of any wrongdoing. It is understood the Broncos have not been contacted at this stage by the NRL as integrity-unit chiefs gather preliminary evidence.

The Dolphins did not hear from the NRL for several weeks on the Mariner saga before being contacted by authorities after receiving paperwork from the Broncos.

The complaint against the Broncos comes three months after Brisbane, the Dolphins and Titans received an email from NRL salary-cap auditor Matt Faulkner seeking any correspondence they may have had with Hunt.

The Dragons asked the NRL to investigate rival clubs speaking with Hunt after the Origin utility publicly revealed his desire to sever ties with St George Illawarra and return home to Queensland for family reasons.

In the wake of Origin II, it is understood the Broncos expressed interest in brokering an immediate transfer deal with Hunt, but his move from the Red V to Red Hill never eventuated after the Dragons board declared they would uphold the skipper’s contract.

Hunt’s $6 million deal with the Dragons expires at the end of 2024.

Speaking in June, Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy denied Brisbane had any contact with Hunt, despite comments from Brisbane coach Kevin Walters that they would be interested if he was available.

“There haven’t been any negotiations with Ben, and we’re not in for him because he’s not off contract,” Donaghy said at the time.

“I saw Kevvy’s quotes about Ben, which basically said nobody had spoken to him, but if a player like that was off-contract, the club would consider him.

“Every club would.”

Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The NRL’s inquiries on Hunt comes as the Dolphins prepare to submit a report to League Central vehemently denying any wrongdoing in the Mariner fiasco.

Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins have five business days to respond to the NRL’s breach notice and the expansion newcomers are furious at any suggestion they tried to induce Mariner to break his Broncos contract.

The Broncos are adamant the Dolphins breached anti-tampering rules, with the NRL opting to sanction the club for failing to supply notes on their dealings with Mariner.

Asked on Thursday if the club induced Mariner to break his Broncos contract, Reader said: “No. We’re a bit perplexed by this breach notice.

“We haven’t had a chance to read all the findings, we’ll have a look into it and respond in due course once we understand all the facts.”

Mariner’s manager Dixon McIvor also incurred a suspended 12-month suspension, prompting the agent to express his dismay at the NRL’s decision.

“I am disappointed and shocked to be honest,” he said.

“It feels a bit like being robbed. You go into your house knowing someone has violated you.

“I have said from the start that there was nothing in this. The NRL have obviously taken a different view from their findings.

“I have to accept it.

I will stand by my comments and my word that the Dolphins did nothing wrong ... because if the Dolphins have done something wrong, then I have done something wrong, and I am adamant I did not break any rules.

“There is this little blemish against my name and I’m not happy about it.

Originally published as NRL Integrity Unit launches inquiry into Broncos dealings with Ben Hunt