THE Broncos have pulled off an NRL grand final week coup, securing star halfback Ben Hunt and Corey Oates in a $2 million retention drive.
In a boost for the club ahead of their under-20s showdown against the Warriors this Sunday, News Corp can reveal Hunt and Oates have agreed to terms until the end of 2017.
It is believed Oates’ deal is yet to be formalised, but Hunt’s upgraded deal could be announced as early as today.
The halfback has fielded interest from NRL and Super League rivals after a sensational season but will stay loyal to the Broncos in a deal worth an estimated $1.2 million over three years.
The contract windfall caps a dream campaign for Hunt, who rubber-stamped himself as a bona fide NRL playmaker after being thrown the No.7 jumper over summer by deposed Broncos coach Anthony Griffin.
The 24-year-old’s rapid rise from utility Mr Fixit to the Broncos’ main shot-caller was consummated on Monday night when he finished fifth in the Dally M Medal with 28 votes.
He was narrowly pipped as halfback of the year by Maroons ace Daly Cherry-Evans in a controversial decision that sparked fury from Broncos fans.
Hunt said on Monday night he was blown away by a breakthrough season that saw him lead the Dally M voting after 16 rounds and added to Queensland’s extended squad for Origin II.
“I’m just honoured to be up there, it’s been a great year and I’ve really enjoyed my football,” Hunt said.
“The difference is just belief. ‘Hook’ (Griffin) showed a lot of faith in me. I had a rough few weeks after the Origin period, but my confidence grew with every week.”
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett told News Corp this week of his plans to deploy Hunt and Anthony Milford at the scrumbase next season in a pairing that had the long-term potential of the decorated Allan Langer-Kevin Walters alliance.
“I am excited to be working with Anthony and Ben Hunt (halfback) is also a wonderful player,” said Bennett, who tried to lure Hunt to Newcastle last year when he was off-contract.
“If we can get Ben and Anthony to be the players we have seen this year, if we can get them to gel, there’s a decade ahead of them in the key positions on the football field. There is no one keener than me to make it work for those two boys.
“It will be the first part of the jigsaw that will come together for us.
“They are only young men so if I get it right it can set the Broncos up for the next seven to 10 years.”
