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

[Santa]

Not sure if this has already been posted, but it looks like we've upgraded from chicken sandwiches.

The $30 investment that led Hunt back to the Broncos

Knowing they had to pull at Ben Hunt’s heartstrings, the Broncos killed the fatted calf for their prodigal son.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Harry Sack]

According ing to Meyn Hunt's signing has put 4 players in the firing line. Mam, Reynolds, Walters and Mozer. As usual it's a rugby league reporter talking out of their ass.

But here is his reasoning:

Mam:
If we're winning, then Madge would be reluctant to change the team, making Ms spot unclear when he returns from his likely suspension.

Reynolds
Spent a fair bit of time injured lad year, so Hunt could force the skipper into retirement

Billy
Hunt could be shifted to hooker which would squeeze Walters out of the starting team, and potentially Brisbane’s top 17.

Mozer
Mozer is off contract at the end of 2025 and Hunt will be a roadblock and there is no clear path to the starting team.

P.s. he doesn't say that Hunt has put Paix or Smoothys position in the squad in jeopardy, maybe he thinks they're our best hookers

Of that list the only one who may be in trouble is Billy. Unless we're absolutely blitzing it with the Hunt/Reynolds combo, Mam will at some point come back into the 6. Depending on how Mozer is going, Hunt will either take over the starting 9 or move to 14 IMO.

As others have said, the ones in real danger are Madden, Paix and Smoothy.

 

[Ondi]

The way I heard it was that when he came into the dressing rooms after the game he was in tears and very distraught. Benny told him to take a seat and as he sat down he leaned forward still in tears to put his head in his hands - and missed.

Well played sir you got me to laugh at my desk. Executed to perfection.

 

[BRC088]

I'd tape this to the inside door of his locker...

 

[Sproj]

Not too shabby...

How well he worked with early Milford - similar strengths to Mam - if Mam comes back well that is and not like mid-late career Milford.

I was also thinking, did he ever play behind a dominant forward pack? If ours goes 2023-version, Hunt working with and off that is enticing.

A lot of running plays - perfect for a 6 or 9.

Plays heads up footy.

Some of those plays for Gillett - I could see that working with Piaks. He also knows how to give his centres space.

He backs up - how good.

Decent defender.

 

[Santa]

How well he worked with early Milford - similar strengths to Mam - if Mam comes back well that is and not like mid-late career Milford.

I was also thinking, did he ever play behind a dominant forward pack? If ours goes 2023-version, Hunt working with and off that is enticing.

A lot of running plays - perfect for a 6 or 9.

Plays heads up footy.

Some of those plays for Gillett - I could see that working with Piaks. He also knows how to give his centres space.

He backs up - how good.

Decent defender.

I wanna see him pull some of those trick shots. E.g. that long kick to a chasing Roberts he used to do (Mariner could probably pull that off).

 

[Mustafur]

How well he worked with early Milford - similar strengths to Mam - if Mam comes back well that is and not like mid-late career Milford.

I was also thinking, did he ever play behind a dominant forward pack? If ours goes 2023-version, Hunt working with and off that is enticing.

A lot of running plays - perfect for a 6 or 9.

Plays heads up footy.

Some of those plays for Gillett - I could see that working with Piaks. He also knows how to give his centres space.

He backs up - how good.

Decent defender.

One thing about Hunt that you pointed out is defence, he might be a secret success playing as a 6 on the left because of this as Mam while he can do the big hits misses alot of tackles and puts alot of pressure on that side of the field, Hunt who is a comfortable middle defender but with the smaller size to be suitable in wider positions might help the likes of Piakura especially in that role.

I also think we have to put Cobbo on left Centre for attacking reasons, he is one of the best tackle breakers in the comp and Hunt is one of the best players to be in position to take advantage of that which we see constantly in Origin.

 

[Brocko]

Crawley for fox:

Ben Hunt’s signing for the Brisbane Broncos on a hugely reduced wage to what he was previously earning at the Dragons further highlights why the NRL should make all player salaries public, and it should include all third party agreements.

No one is suggesting there is anything dodgy about the deal Hunt has done with the Broncos, who have signed the Queensland Origin star for a steal on an estimated $600,000 per season for the next two years.

This is despite Hunt earning $1 million plus for the majority of his seven years at the Dragons; although he is now coming into his final years as a footballer, which understandably reduces his real market worth.

But regardless, you compare the Broncos’ roster to some of the battlers across the NRL and it certainly highlights a clear advantage some clubs have over their rivals.

Even allowing for Ezra Mam’s expected absence as he awaits a court hearing to determine his immediate playing future, Mam’s wage will still go on the cap.

Just look at the salary cap struggle a club like the Newcastle Knights are going through now and it puts things in further perspective, especially when you factor in third party deals that a big club like the Broncos have at their disposal.

So the addition of Hunt to play in the halves alongside Adam Reynolds in a side that also includes the likes of Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo (who would all fetch the best part of $1 million per season on the open market) has almost given them what many fans at other clubs would deem an unfair advantage under the circumstances.

I have campaigned for years that the NRL should make all player salaries public to end the confusion and distrust amongst fans.

People will always argue that players are entitled to their privacy.

It hasn’t stopped elite sports around the world making salaries public, especially when a competition works in conjunction with a salary cap.

Hiding the registered salaries certainly doesn’t stop the speculation given the media always put a figure on every deal that is done regardless.

As I’ve said previously, if there is nothing to hide, why hide it?

Now to what Hunt’s decision will mean to the Broncos on the field. Will it instantly return them to a premiership force?

I’ll say this: if Hunt felt burdened by the constant pressure on him at the Dragons, he’s now walking straight into the bonfire at the Broncos.

Make no mistake, there won’t be a new recruit across the entire NRL who will carry more expectation on his shoulders than the veteran playmaker in 2025.

Some would argue Jarome Luai has a bigger job ahead of him at Wests Tigers.

The difference there is that any improvement will be seen as a victory for Luai given the fact the Tigers are coming off three straight wooden spoons.

In comparison, Hunt has made it clear that he joined the Broncos because he believes they have a roster capable of challenging for a premiership immediately.

So the expectation will be and should be that nothing less than a top-four finish is acceptable given the class of the Broncos’ stacked roster.

Hunt has said himself that is a big part of the reason why he chose to return to Brisbane ahead of joining the Roosters and the Bulldogs, while he turned his back on the Dolphins despite the fact they offered him the biggest salary package of the lot.

The fact the Broncos didn’t play finals footy this year won’t matter one iota.

In fact, the sacking of Broncos legend Kevin Walters only intensifies the scrutiny on the entire playing group, and that won’t excuse the club’s new star recruit.

For all Hunt has achieved at State of Origin level for Queensland, he had just one finals appearance in his seven seasons at the Dragons.

And no Broncos fans will ever forget how the 2015 NRL grand final played out when Hunt dropped the ball from a kick-off in golden point extra time, allowing Johnathan Thurston to close out the Cowboy’s historic victory.

Yet it’s how the next two years play out that will determine Hunt’s lasting legacy as a club footballer.

Why Ben Hunt salary must spark NRL change; Big-name trio on Wayne Bennett’s radar — Crawls

Why Hunt salary must spark change; Big-name trio on Bennett’s radar — Crawls

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Big Del]

One thing about Hunt that you pointed out is defence, he might be a secret success playing as a 6 on the left because of this as Mam while he can do the big hits misses alot of tackles and puts alot of pressure on that side of the field, Hunt who is a comfortable middle defender but with the smaller size to be suitable in wider positions might help the likes of Piakura especially in that role.

I also think we have to put Cobbo on left Centre for attacking reasons, he is one of the best tackle breakers in the comp and Hunt is one of the best players to be in position to take advantage of that which we see constantly in Origin.

I thought Cobbo showed some pretty silky hands early in the season before he went down hill to go with his tackle busting .

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Crawley for fox:

Ben Hunt’s signing for the Brisbane Broncos on a hugely reduced wage to what he was previously earning at the Dragons further highlights why the NRL should make all player salaries public, and it should include all third party agreements.

No one is suggesting there is anything dodgy about the deal Hunt has done with the Broncos, who have signed the Queensland Origin star for a steal on an estimated $600,000 per season for the next two years.

This is despite Hunt earning $1 million plus for the majority of his seven years at the Dragons; although he is now coming into his final years as a footballer, which understandably reduces his real market worth.

But regardless, you compare the Broncos’ roster to some of the battlers across the NRL and it certainly highlights a clear advantage some clubs have over their rivals.

Even allowing for Ezra Mam’s expected absence as he awaits a court hearing to determine his immediate playing future, Mam’s wage will still go on the cap.

Just look at the salary cap struggle a club like the Newcastle Knights are going through now and it puts things in further perspective, especially when you factor in third party deals that a big club like the Broncos have at their disposal.

So the addition of Hunt to play in the halves alongside Adam Reynolds in a side that also includes the likes of Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo (who would all fetch the best part of $1 million per season on the open market) has almost given them what many fans at other clubs would deem an unfair advantage under the circumstances.

I have campaigned for years that the NRL should make all player salaries public to end the confusion and distrust amongst fans.

People will always argue that players are entitled to their privacy.

It hasn’t stopped elite sports around the world making salaries public, especially when a competition works in conjunction with a salary cap.

Hiding the registered salaries certainly doesn’t stop the speculation given the media always put a figure on every deal that is done regardless.

As I’ve said previously, if there is nothing to hide, why hide it?

Now to what Hunt’s decision will mean to the Broncos on the field. Will it instantly return them to a premiership force?

I’ll say this: if Hunt felt burdened by the constant pressure on him at the Dragons, he’s now walking straight into the bonfire at the Broncos.

Make no mistake, there won’t be a new recruit across the entire NRL who will carry more expectation on his shoulders than the veteran playmaker in 2025.

Some would argue Jarome Luai has a bigger job ahead of him at Wests Tigers.

The difference there is that any improvement will be seen as a victory for Luai given the fact the Tigers are coming off three straight wooden spoons.

In comparison, Hunt has made it clear that he joined the Broncos because he believes they have a roster capable of challenging for a premiership immediately.

So the expectation will be and should be that nothing less than a top-four finish is acceptable given the class of the Broncos’ stacked roster.

Hunt has said himself that is a big part of the reason why he chose to return to Brisbane ahead of joining the Roosters and the Bulldogs, while he turned his back on the Dolphins despite the fact they offered him the biggest salary package of the lot.

The fact the Broncos didn’t play finals footy this year won’t matter one iota.

In fact, the sacking of Broncos legend Kevin Walters only intensifies the scrutiny on the entire playing group, and that won’t excuse the club’s new star recruit.

For all Hunt has achieved at State of Origin level for Queensland, he had just one finals appearance in his seven seasons at the Dragons.

And no Broncos fans will ever forget how the 2015 NRL grand final played out when Hunt dropped the ball from a kick-off in golden point extra time, allowing Johnathan Thurston to close out the Cowboy’s historic victory.

Yet it’s how the next two years play out that will determine Hunt’s lasting legacy as a club footballer.

Why Ben Hunt salary must spark NRL change; Big-name trio on Wayne Bennett’s radar — Crawls

Why Hunt salary must spark change; Big-name trio on Bennett’s radar — Crawls

www.foxsports.com.au

Roosters sign Cronk despite having a stacked roster, nobody bats an eye. We pick up Hunt, OMG MAKE SALARIES PUBLIC.

 

[Foordy]

Crawley for fox:

Ben Hunt’s signing for the Brisbane Broncos on a hugely reduced wage to what he was previously earning at the Dragons further highlights why the NRL should make all player salaries public, and it should include all third party agreements.

No one is suggesting there is anything dodgy about the deal Hunt has done with the Broncos, who have signed the Queensland Origin star for a steal on an estimated $600,000 per season for the next two years.

This is despite Hunt earning $1 million plus for the majority of his seven years at the Dragons; although he is now coming into his final years as a footballer, which understandably reduces his real market worth.

But regardless, you compare the Broncos’ roster to some of the battlers across the NRL and it certainly highlights a clear advantage some clubs have over their rivals.

Even allowing for Ezra Mam’s expected absence as he awaits a court hearing to determine his immediate playing future, Mam’s wage will still go on the cap.

Just look at the salary cap struggle a club like the Newcastle Knights are going through now and it puts things in further perspective, especially when you factor in third party deals that a big club like the Broncos have at their disposal.

So the addition of Hunt to play in the halves alongside Adam Reynolds in a side that also includes the likes of Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo (who would all fetch the best part of $1 million per season on the open market) has almost given them what many fans at other clubs would deem an unfair advantage under the circumstances.

I have campaigned for years that the NRL should make all player salaries public to end the confusion and distrust amongst fans.

People will always argue that players are entitled to their privacy.

It hasn’t stopped elite sports around the world making salaries public, especially when a competition works in conjunction with a salary cap.

Hiding the registered salaries certainly doesn’t stop the speculation given the media always put a figure on every deal that is done regardless.

As I’ve said previously, if there is nothing to hide, why hide it?

Now to what Hunt’s decision will mean to the Broncos on the field. Will it instantly return them to a premiership force?

I’ll say this: if Hunt felt burdened by the constant pressure on him at the Dragons, he’s now walking straight into the bonfire at the Broncos.

Make no mistake, there won’t be a new recruit across the entire NRL who will carry more expectation on his shoulders than the veteran playmaker in 2025.

Some would argue Jarome Luai has a bigger job ahead of him at Wests Tigers.

The difference there is that any improvement will be seen as a victory for Luai given the fact the Tigers are coming off three straight wooden spoons.

In comparison, Hunt has made it clear that he joined the Broncos because he believes they have a roster capable of challenging for a premiership immediately.

So the expectation will be and should be that nothing less than a top-four finish is acceptable given the class of the Broncos’ stacked roster.

Hunt has said himself that is a big part of the reason why he chose to return to Brisbane ahead of joining the Roosters and the Bulldogs, while he turned his back on the Dolphins despite the fact they offered him the biggest salary package of the lot.

The fact the Broncos didn’t play finals footy this year won’t matter one iota.

In fact, the sacking of Broncos legend Kevin Walters only intensifies the scrutiny on the entire playing group, and that won’t excuse the club’s new star recruit.

For all Hunt has achieved at State of Origin level for Queensland, he had just one finals appearance in his seven seasons at the Dragons.

And no Broncos fans will ever forget how the 2015 NRL grand final played out when Hunt dropped the ball from a kick-off in golden point extra time, allowing Johnathan Thurston to close out the Cowboy’s historic victory.

Yet it’s how the next two years play out that will determine Hunt’s lasting legacy as a club footballer.

Why Ben Hunt salary must spark NRL change; Big-name trio on Wayne Bennett’s radar — Crawls

Why Hunt salary must spark change; Big-name trio on Bennett’s radar — Crawls

www.foxsports.com.au

That's a lot of words for Crawley to come out and say that the only team that should have been allowed to sign Hunt was the Phins.

because the Roosters reportedly offered less than us ... and the Bulldogs chose not to even make an offer

 

[BroncosFever]

Crawley for fox:

Ben Hunt’s signing for the Brisbane Broncos on a hugely reduced wage to what he was previously earning at the Dragons further highlights why the NRL should make all player salaries public, and it should include all third party agreements.

No one is suggesting there is anything dodgy about the deal Hunt has done with the Broncos, who have signed the Queensland Origin star for a steal on an estimated $600,000 per season for the next two years.

This is despite Hunt earning $1 million plus for the majority of his seven years at the Dragons; although he is now coming into his final years as a footballer, which understandably reduces his real market worth.

But regardless, you compare the Broncos’ roster to some of the battlers across the NRL and it certainly highlights a clear advantage some clubs have over their rivals.

Even allowing for Ezra Mam’s expected absence as he awaits a court hearing to determine his immediate playing future, Mam’s wage will still go on the cap.

Just look at the salary cap struggle a club like the Newcastle Knights are going through now and it puts things in further perspective, especially when you factor in third party deals that a big club like the Broncos have at their disposal.

So the addition of Hunt to play in the halves alongside Adam Reynolds in a side that also includes the likes of Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan, Kotoni Staggs and Selwyn Cobbo (who would all fetch the best part of $1 million per season on the open market) has almost given them what many fans at other clubs would deem an unfair advantage under the circumstances.

I have campaigned for years that the NRL should make all player salaries public to end the confusion and distrust amongst fans.

People will always argue that players are entitled to their privacy.

It hasn’t stopped elite sports around the world making salaries public, especially when a competition works in conjunction with a salary cap.

Hiding the registered salaries certainly doesn’t stop the speculation given the media always put a figure on every deal that is done regardless.

As I’ve said previously, if there is nothing to hide, why hide it?

Now to what Hunt’s decision will mean to the Broncos on the field. Will it instantly return them to a premiership force?

I’ll say this: if Hunt felt burdened by the constant pressure on him at the Dragons, he’s now walking straight into the bonfire at the Broncos.

Make no mistake, there won’t be a new recruit across the entire NRL who will carry more expectation on his shoulders than the veteran playmaker in 2025.

Some would argue Jarome Luai has a bigger job ahead of him at Wests Tigers.

The difference there is that any improvement will be seen as a victory for Luai given the fact the Tigers are coming off three straight wooden spoons.

In comparison, Hunt has made it clear that he joined the Broncos because he believes they have a roster capable of challenging for a premiership immediately.

So the expectation will be and should be that nothing less than a top-four finish is acceptable given the class of the Broncos’ stacked roster.

Hunt has said himself that is a big part of the reason why he chose to return to Brisbane ahead of joining the Roosters and the Bulldogs, while he turned his back on the Dolphins despite the fact they offered him the biggest salary package of the lot.

The fact the Broncos didn’t play finals footy this year won’t matter one iota.

In fact, the sacking of Broncos legend Kevin Walters only intensifies the scrutiny on the entire playing group, and that won’t excuse the club’s new star recruit.

For all Hunt has achieved at State of Origin level for Queensland, he had just one finals appearance in his seven seasons at the Dragons.

And no Broncos fans will ever forget how the 2015 NRL grand final played out when Hunt dropped the ball from a kick-off in golden point extra time, allowing Johnathan Thurston to close out the Cowboy’s historic victory.

Yet it’s how the next two years play out that will determine Hunt’s lasting legacy as a club footballer.

Why Ben Hunt salary must spark NRL change; Big-name trio on Wayne Bennett’s radar — Crawls

Why Hunt salary must spark change; Big-name trio on Bennett’s radar — Crawls

www.foxsports.com.au

Excuse me while I strum my violin.

 

[Foordy]

Ben Hunt Interview