Hunt not thinking retirement yet: ‘If I feel like I can keep playing on, I will’

Ben Hunt won’t be following fellow Brisbane veteran Adam Reynolds into retirement any time soon, declaring that he has “no idea” when he’ll retire as he prepares for Friday’s World Club Challenge clash against Hull KR at Craven Park.

The 37-year-old hooker is already the fourth most capped player in NRL history, having played 355 games (147 at the Dragons and 208 and counting at the Broncos), and has the top spot in his sights. It’s still a huge leap, with Cameron Smith leading on 430 matches played, but it’s one of the last hurdles Hunt could yet achieve in his rugby league career.

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“I haven’t made a decision at all [on retirement],” the aging playmaker said this week. “If I feel like I can keep playing on, I will — and at the moment I still feel like I can. I know it’s only pre-season, and we have a long season to go. But I’m feeling good, I still enjoy the game as much as ever.”

Hunt, who’s a free agent come 2027, continued: “Look, I might get to a point during the year, or over the next four or five weeks, where I might make a call [to retire], but at the moment I honestly haven’t thought about giving it away. As long as the body is feeling good and I can manage to stay away from major injuries, I don’t see why I can’t play on.”

The Broncos champion is at least eager to push for the 400-game mark, which he could achieve should he sign a new deal with an NRL club for 2027. He’s already speaking to Brisbane about a one-year extension, and would accept that in a heartbeat if it’s formally tabled. This season, Hunt will be paid around $600,000 for the length of the campaign.

“Talking to some ex-players, they said to me, ‘You will just know when it’s the end’. They said you will get the feeling where you wake up one day and say you don’t want to do it anymore,” added Hunt on his current feelings.

“I might get a tap on the shoulder from the club, the coach or my missus [wife Bridget], she might say it’s time.

“But, for now, it’s all systems go for me.”

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The Broncos, for their part, are very interested in keeping Hunt around the club long-term. Should that be in a playing capacity for some years, the club would be very happy, but powerbrokers are also expected to speak to the 37-year-old about mentoring and coaching roles that he’d take up at Red Hill whenever he decides to call time.

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There’d also be no dramas with the Broncos paying Hunt a similar pay packet for at least 2027, considering Payne Haas’ and his $1 million-plus deal will be off the salary cap from the end of the year. He’s heading south to join the Rabbitohs next year.

Next up, Brisbane will take on Hull KR on Friday for the World Club Challenge title.