OFFICIAL Ben Hunt returns home to Broncos on two-year deal

Big Pete said:
On paper it's a great signing.

It solves the biggest concern for the club, Reynolds immediate successor. None of the current suitors at the club are ready for the responsibility and while Hunt is older he is in better condition and offer that bridge between now and 2027.

It also solves the immediate problem of Mam's replacement and buys Ezra some time to work his way up through QCup.

On paper it makes sense, but will it align with reality? Hunt is 35 and in big game situations inspires little confidence. His decision making is awful and despite the Dragons building their entire organisation around him, he couldn't even take them into a finals series.

Also what's the catch? We were led to believe the salary cap was extremely tight, who is making way?

It really could go either way, but if nothing else it adds a lot of excitement to the Broncos and I could only imagine how good the Super Freak video will be if Hunt scores the match winner in the GF, 10 years later after we all had our hearts broken.
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Exactly how I am feeling but couldn’t articulate. Thanks Pete.
 
FACTHUNT said:
Might cry
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FACTHUNT said:
Might cry
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Everyone knows when you love where you work, you put in that bit extra. In high performance sport, that bit extra can be the difference between a win and a loss. This could be an absolute fucking masterstroke.

Welcome home, Ben. You had to leave, I understand, but I'm glad you're home. Let's fucking do this!!
 
I’m often critical of the R&R team but they’ve nailed it again. Huge signing and didn’t overpay reportedly. #destinationclub

I can’t wait to see what the coaches come up with now we have all these weapons available. The whole team got humbled last year, a lot of players are going to have a point to prove and none more so than Hunt.
 
Sproj said:
I’m often critical of the R&R team but they’ve nailed it again. Huge signing and didn’t overpay reportedly. #destinationclub

I can’t wait to see what the coaches come up with now we have all these weapons available. The whole team got humbled last year, a lot of players are going to have a point to prove and none more so than Hunt.
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I was more excited at the prospect of getting him for the finals the year we almost won. It's not hard to imagine he might've made the difference coming off the bench.

This time, I don't know. I'm genuinely surprised we landed him. I thought we were zero chance up until a couple of days ago. I'm excited, but a little bit nervous to be doubling down on veteran halves.

Gives us some breathing space on Black. That's a good thing.

1. Walsh 6. Mam 7. Reynolds 9. Mozer 14. Hunt: that's a killer spine.
 
Big Pete said:
Also what's the catch? We were led to believe the salary cap was extremely tight, who is making way?
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I wonder if it's been mostly about affording him for this year??

We have soooo many halves and hookers on the books, but by the end of next year Reynolds, Paix and Smoothy will be off contract and potentially off the books (although I like Smoothy)... and to me Madden surely looks elsewhere... Bhunt's contract finishes at the same time as his... so what's his plan to get an extension if he's not playing?

We currently have 10 halves and hookers in the Top 30 (excluding Hayze Perham)... so by the end of 2025 that will potentially be down to 7 or possibly 6 (if Madden finds a new home)... end of 2026 they're all off contract except Ezra.

If all of Reynolds, Paix, Smoothy and Madden leave by the end of 2025, the remaining halves and hookers would be as per below.

I think based on that the key to signing Bhunt is being able to move Madden on (full freight) and losing Paix's wages for 2026... those two combined would be on similar or more than Bhunt's $600k (unknown what is on the cap for 2026 with this career after retiring thing) and then Bukowski likely coming in at pretty low Top 30 wage to fill in the two Top 30 spots.

By 2027 broncos would be hoping that Mozer and Bukowski are covering hooker... although I wouldn't mind Smoothy as depth as well... with Ezra and Coby covering halves as your starters.

Halves:
Ezra (2029)
Bhunt (2026)
Black (2026)
Rogers (2026)

Hookers:
Mozer (2025, but hopefully re-signed soon)
Bukowski (assume his contract upgrades to Top 30 by 2026)
Billy (2026)
 
There's always a lot of talk about Bhunt's 2015, but I think that's mostly due to us making the Grand Final... I seem to recall that he had an insane 2014 when he finally got the 7 jersey full time.

I recall him playing first receiver, both sides of the ruck and his running game was so strong... he just always wanted the ball and would just pull something out of nothing seemingly at will.

In 2015 I felt it was more about the whole team playing well and Milf being a revelation at 6... whereas in 2014 he had much less help and he was still trying to get that 7 jersey which Hook kept from him for so long.

There's a lot of left side work in the below highlight vid for anyone concerned about him playing that side of the field.

 
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