Veteran Test and Origin playmaker, and Bronco #178 is coming home.
The club can confirm 34-year-old Rockhampton-born, Dingo-raised Ben Hunt, a Blackwater Crushers junior, has inked a two-year deal that will see him pull on the Broncos jersey for the first time since 2017 and 15 years after Hunt made his NRL debut for the club.
The former Dragons halfback and his family met with Broncos officials over the past fortnight and will relocate in the coming weeks.
With 16 Test matches for Australia, 20 Origin appearances and 334 NRL games under his belt, his homecoming brings with it a wealth of experience, leadership and versatility.
Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said, “We’re thrilled to be bringing Ben and his family home – where he belongs.
“Players of his calibre don’t stay available for long, and it was important to us for Ben to know he was very much wanted here, but we also understand that this was a big decision for Ben and his family.
“I’m pleased we’ve been able to work with Ben and his management to make this happen as quickly as we could.
“We look forward to welcoming Ben, Bridget and the boys back to Brisbane very soon.”
Brisbane Broncos Head Coach Michael Maguire, “Ben has been a Bronco since he was 13. Since then, he’s proven himself at every level of the game.
He’ll bring us great depth and will be a wonderful fit for what we are building – not just on the field. He’ll play a big part in building the culture we want to create together as a group.
Michael Maguire Brisbane Broncos Head Coach
“Like all of us, Ben wants to achieve success, and it would be incredibly special if he can do that back here at the Broncos – these types of storylines don’t come up all that often in sport.”
Bronco Ben Hunt said, “This is very special. It was a tough decision for myself and my family, but in my heart it was really always driving me back to the Broncos, and in the end, it became really clear.
“To be able to finish my career at the Broncos is something that I never thought I’d have the opportunity to do and I’ll cherish it.
“It’s definitely a club that has meant a lot to me, I’ve been involved with the Broncos since I was 13.
I’ve been away for 7 years but I’ve watched every single Broncos game since I’ve been away - I never thought this would happen, so I’m pretty excited.
Ben Hunt
“The chance now to head back and chase that Premiership together, is a dream come true.
“I’ve had a fair few calls people back home (Central Queensland) but needed to make the best decision for myself, my wife and my family.
“I’ve never had the opportunity to work under Madge but meeting and speaking with him and Dave during this process – I know he’s someone I believe in and I can’t wait to work under him.
“The boys (my sons) are both very excited, they’re both footy mad and were with us when we visited the club last week, they’re looking forward to it.”
Hunt will join the Broncos preseason program in mid-December.
