Maguire excited to welcome Hunt back to the Broncos

Brisbane Broncos head coach Michael Maguire said he and the club are thrilled to welcome back veteran playmaker Ben Hunt for the 2025 season.

Hunt has returned to where his career began after playing 187 games between 2009-2017. The Queensland and Australia representative left for the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2018 but after a torrid final year with the club, the 34-year-old was released from the final year of his Dragons contract and has taken up a two-year deal with his former club.

Maguire was happy with the club’s pitch to Hunt and the focus now shifts to what position he will play in 2025.

“It’s great to see Ben come home,” Maguire told SENQ Breakfast.

“He’s resilient and he can handle footy week in and week out. His character in the changeroom will be enormous.

“I was pleased with how we were able to present to him and how everyone got involved. It was nice to see that the club were all on the same page.

“The best thing is that Ben understands what’s ahead of us (and) we need to create a culture that will galvanise us every day.

“I have spoken to him about playing at nine or in the halves. It’s a work in progress. To have the versatility of Hunt who has played at the highest level of nine (is a blessing).

“We have options (at hooker) which is nice to see at training. It’s competition within (and) it’s good for the team.”

Hunt’s acquisition fills the void left by five-eighth Ezra Mam who is unavailable indefinitely as he deals with legal issues off the field.

Maguire ordered Mam to not attend pre-season training and instead take up unpaid work as a labourer in order for the 21-year-old to understand what working Australians endure.

“He’s taken it, run with it and he’s working hard,” Maguire added.

“It gives him a bit of reality and an understanding of where he’s at.

“He’s put his head down and when we talk (at the club) about working on yourself, this is a part of that.”

The Broncos travel to Sydney to take on the Roosters in Round 1 at Allianz Stadium.