“You could probably look at it in the long run, and it could be a benefit for both players. Coby’s a great talent; obviously he’s been in all the rep sides coming through his juniors, and he’s a good young kid.
“Rugby league isn’t always fair, you don’t always get what you want, and I’m sure he’ll go down there and do a great job – I have full belief in that.”
Brisbane would have been eager to ease Black into first-grade, given the added pressure that comes with playing for the club.
Tom Dearden was perhaps the most famous example, who has confessed to struggling with that scrutiny but has become one of rugby league’s leading halves since moving to North Queensland.
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However, Broncos enforcer Ben Talty was adamant Pezet possessed the fortitude to ensure the side would remain successful beyond the retirements of Hunt and Reynolds.
Talty and Pezet both grew up in Newcastle, and the pair crossed paths again last preseason at the Storm. That time was enough to convince Talty the rising star was ready to handle the expectations.
“He’s a great kid, Jonah, and he’s going to do really well this year, and then when he comes to this club, he’s going to be awesome to have,” Talty told this masthead.
“It’s his time now. When I trained down with him, he’s very slick with the ball, he plays very direct – he’s got all the qualities you want in a good halfback.
“Everything he does, he’s very professional, so he’s ready to make this step up.”
Whether Pezet assumes the halfback duties will remain up in the air until Hunt and Reynolds make definitive calls on their futures.
Neither will be pushed into retirement at the end of their 2026 contracts, it seems, with Maguire suggesting “it’s not up to me, that’ll be up to their bodies, I imagine”.
Ben Hunt claimed the first premiership of his career with the Broncos in 2025.Credit: AAPIMAGE
Hunt is set to make the move to hooker in 2026, beginning with the World Club Challenge against Hull KR on February 20 – a clash that will not include edge forward Brendan Piakura, who has been sidelined for eight weeks after suffering a meniscus tear at training.
The veteran has worn the No.9 jersey for Queensland in State of Origin, and insisted he would not turn down a call from Maroons coach Billy Slater in a bid to prolong his NRL career.
“I’ll always put my hand up, unless I believe I’m not up to the standard, and I think if I’m not up to the standard then Billy is definitely not calling me,” Hunt said.
“As long as I’m playing good footy and Bill’s got belief in me, I’ll always play. If I still feel like I’m playing well and my body’s all right, then I’ll want to play on.”
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