Ben Hunt has formally told Michael Maguire and the Brisbane Broncos he plans to play on in 2027, beyond his 37th birthday, and is eager to take over the No.7 role for the NRL champions once Adam Reynolds retires at the end of the year.
Hunt returned to Brisbane on a two-year deal last season, and many expected the 350-plus-game veteran to see out those two years on the docket before hanging up the boots. That’s not quite how Hunt sees it, though — he thinks there’s still plenty of wear in the old tyres, and he wants to keep playing at Red Hill for as long as the Broncos will have him.
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Brisbane’s retention team has yet to offer an extension beyond 2027, but this Sporting Base writer understands first thoughts have turned to a cheaper contract in 2028 with at least one year added as an option (which would be in the club’s favour to activate).
Should the Broncos not want to re-sign Hunt to play for whatever reason, it’s likely he retires and takes up a coaching role with the club beyond his playing deal anyway.
Benny is working through that [his future] at the moment. He loves the club, and he loves football. He just loves the game, and I really enjoy coaching a guy like that,” Maguire said.
“‘Hunty’ says he still has the hunger to get out there and rip into training, and he is in the same in games as well.
“Whilst that fire is burning, Hunty is keen to keep going.”
Hunt is currently sidelined with a knee injury, but is expected to come back into the fold as soon as he’s recovered. He’s already the third-most capped player in NRL history, at 360.
“I wanted to sign Ben because he is a leader. He has done everything in the game, so bringing his experience back to the Broncos made sense. He is still buzzing about now,” Madge said on Hunt’s role.
“Hunty is helping out the younger guys and even the older players. He is a real character who helps build the culture here of what we are moving towards. The durability throughout his career is impressive.
“To get to 300 games, let alone potentially 400, says a lot about Hunty’s professionalism. I like the fact he is a team-first guy.”
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And from Hunt’s side, he’s ever mindful that any game and week and season could be his last in the NRL, so he’s making sure to enjoy it as much as he can before everything ends. “Talking to some ex-players, they said to me, ‘You will just know.’ They said you will get the feeling where you wake up one day and say you don’t want to do it anymore,” he said recently.
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“I still don’t feel that way. I’m feeling good, and I’m pretty keen to play on.
“I might get a tap on the shoulder from the club or the coach, but for now it’s all systems go for me.”
