Brisbane have moved on from St George Illawarra’s decision to deny Ben Hunt an early release to relocate to Queensland, insisting they are perfectly satisfied with their current roster.
The Dragons met with Hunt for formal talks on Monday morning, and for a second time denied the halfback a release from the final two-and-a-half years of his contract.
The 33-year-old had been seeking an early exit after the Dragons’ recent coaching upheaval, with Shane Flanagan set to take the reins from 2024 following the sacking last month of Hunt’s close confidant Anthony Griffin.
A mid-season switch to the second-placed Broncos had appeared the perfect fit for Hunt.
The Rockhampton-born State of Origin representative would have had the chance to return home to Queensland and play for a maiden premiership ring before switching clubs to Gold Coast in 2024.
Ben Hunt. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
The Broncos already have a world-class fullback and halfback in Reece Walsh and Adam Reynolds. Deploying Hunt at hooker, the position he plays for the Maroons, could well have been the final piece in their premiership puzzle.
But the Broncos insist they are not dwelling on the Dragons’ decision to put paid to their mid-season sugar hit.
“I had one conversation with (Dragons chief executive) Ryan Webb over the weekend where, after seeing public comments in the media, I enquired as to Ben’s availability,” Brisbane’s chief executive Dave 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.”
The move means Billy Walters will remain Brisbane’s first-choice hooker. The club have no shortage of other options at dummy half, with Cory Paix, Blake Mozer and Tyson Smoothy all on the books.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Gee the Ponies know how to drag in a Headline this week .I wonder what Benny will be telling his Phins this weekend.
Emcie
Roar Guru
But didn't you hear? Hunt was a dead certainty to be a bronco by last monday, and titans had already locked him up from next year. The Dolphins even got an official please explain from the NRL after the media decided they'd have to make a play because they tried to get ponga last year.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Emcie you're not wrong about the rumour mill stuff, it all does get ridiculous sometimes. Regardless if anyone believes that the Broncos sole action here was “I had one conversation with (Dragons chief executive) Ryan Webb over the weekend where, after seeing public comments in the media, I enquired as to Ben’s availability,” then I have a bridge to sell you.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Read his above quote. It’s comical!
Emcie
Roar Guru
Why? Cos Rothfield said it was a done deal? He also said Saints were gonna release him. Guess he just got that bit wrong huh? 90% of the NRL rumour mill is just one media guy speculating that something could happen and then a week of it being a talking point in every panel/radio show until it ends up being reported as fact... Though it was kinda funny seeing Hunt's wiki page updated to playing at the bronco's in 2023
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Dave Pinocchio Donaghy :laughing: