'Deciding factors' as Broncos weigh up Hunt contract call

Ben Hunt is keen to play on for another season in 2027 – but the Broncos may not be willing to give the veteran utility another 12 months.

Despite halfback Adam Reynolds retiring, Ezra Mam is now an established playmaker, rookie Tom Duffy has joined the club from the Cowboys this year and star signing Jonah Pezet is coming in next year, leaving little room for for Hunt in the halves.

Hunt's other option at hooker also looks to be well covered by three players in the top 30 – Blake Mozer, Cory Paix and Billy Walters, although Walters is also unsigned beyond this season and remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury.

Only this week, Hunt was dropped to the bench from the Broncos' starting team following the disappointing loss to the Panthers at home in round one.

It's a dilemma for the Broncos. Hunt, who turns 36 in a couple of weeks, is a favourite son of the club he debuted for way back in 2009 but his best football is behind him.

A source in the coaching ranks at Brisbane told Wide World of Sports they have confidence in Hunt being a valued member of the team this season – but will wait and see whether they will offer him a new deal.

"As with most players at the tail-end of their careers, form and injuries will probably be the deciding factors," the source said.

If the Broncos don't offer Hunt a new deal, they are certain to keep him within the club, either in a coaching or administrative role.

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.

FORMER STAR'S MESSAGE OVER PNG EXPANSION

Former Titans and Broncos flyer David Mead has slammed the negative talk from media and critics about the safety aspect of the PNG Chiefs ahead of their 2028 entry.

A former Kumuls star who was born and raised in PNG, Mead went on the attack on his social media.

"The way some journos and former players talk about NRL team in Port Moresby you'd think bombs are going off in the streets every day. Bunch of pussy cats," he vented.

"Most have never been there and it shows you their true character. If you're an NRL player seeing this, go there and get your bag for the next 10-15 years. Not only that, you will be the nation's icons who will make the biggest difference to kids and families.

"Journos and some of these former players in Australia piss me off with their arrogance and pussy cat mentally behind a camera. Expats have moved there and never returned because they've fallen in love with the people and the place.

"Don't be one of those who judge before experiencing."

KNIGHTS PROP'S FULL-CIRCLE MOMENT

Two nightmare years with injury ended triumphantly for returning Knights prop Pasami Saulo in Las Vegas.

A local junior, 27-year-old Saulo made his NRL debut for the club in 2018, becoming Newcastle's 300th first grader.

He's been in and out of the top grade ever since, moving to Canberra in 2023 hoping for a change of luck.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DVVXtAWlOCb/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp

"Canberra were great to us but the injuries just kept coming," Saulo's partner of 11 years, Kate Tuwhangai-Stobbs, told Wide World of Sports.

"In 2024 he had neck surgery and there was a 20 per cent chance he would never play again. He spent last year in NSW Cup and then tore his pec in the last round of the season … another surgery."

"We decided to come back to Newcastle and he went well in the trials and got a chance in Vegas – I'm just so happy for him and proud of him given the tough road he has had."

TRUTH BEHIND STORM FLYER'S LIKELY MOVE

Will Warbrick's proposed move to the Warriors isn't about the money.

One of the game's best wingers, Warbrick is set to quit the Storm to sign a four-year deal with the Kiwi outfit from 2027.

But I'm hearing the prime motivation for the move is homesickness.

Warbrick is a proud Kiwi and lived in the Shaky Isles until his early 20s, with several members of his family on both sides of the Tasman longing for him to return home.

Sport Info

World Sport News Right Now