Ben Hunt has spoken of his frustration at his musical-chairs role at the Broncos as Brisbane’s Mr Fixit outlined his desire to cement a regular starting spot and play on next season.

A straight-shooting Hunt remains off-contract at season’s end and is playing for his future in Saturday night’s derby against the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.

While he is feted as the ultimate team man, Hunt admits there has been some personal angst over the utility role that has seen him play four positions in just 25 games since his return to Red Hill last year.

In his second coming at the Broncos, Hunt played games 13 at five-eighth, six at halfback, four at hooker and two matches off the interchange bench.

Hunt played just 28 minutes off interchange in last week’s 26-12 derby defeat of the Dolphins and in the new realm of the six-man bench, there is no guarantee those outside the starting 13 will get game time.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has named Hunt in the No.14 super-sub role for the Titans showdown and the former Queensland Origin star concedes his outstanding utility value has its challenges.

“I guess it’s frustrating in some aspects,” he said ahead of the Gold Coast derby.

“I’ve done it before in the past throughout my career at different stages.

“I’m used to it and as frustrating as it is doing that, it’s something that, like I said, I’m used to and I just have to get on with it.”

Hunt has made it clear he prefers playing in the halves, but with Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds regarded as Brisbane’s pre-eminent scrumbase pairing, ‘Dozer’ has been content with a support role.

There is a view Hunt is Brisbane’s best No.7. When Reynolds missed Brisbane’s round 3 clash against the Storm with a rib injury, it was Hunt who stepped up to superbly engineer the Broncos first win on Melbourne soil in 10 years.

Maguire regarded Hunt as his No.1 hooker in his ‘Dream Team’ spine last year alongside Mam, Reynolds and Reece Walsh and the 359-game champion is determined to nail down one spot.

“Mate, I’d hope it happens,” he said.

“The way it’s going, I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see.

“You know, I’m not the coach. I’m not in the performance staff and all that. I’m not pulling the strings. I’m just here to do my job and wherever I’m asked to go that week, I’ll go and do the best I can.”

Hunt celebrated his 36th birthday last week but the premiership hero insists retirement is not on his mind.

The Broncos will lose Reynolds (retirement) and superstar prop Payne Haas (South Sydney) next season and Hunt believes he can plug the leadership hole — possibly as Brisbane’s captain in 2027.

The 18-season stalwart remains open to signing a 12-month extension — if the Broncos want him.

Asked if he has considered retirement, he said: “Not at all, mate. I’m still pretty keen to play next year at the moment.

“Obviously there’s a long way to go in this season and whatnot, but at this stage I’m feeling good and pretty keen to play on.

“I guess there is a little bit of that there (filling the leadership void). Losing two great leaders of this club (Reynolds and Haas) … they’ve been here for a long time and they know what it is to be a professional rugby league player.

“Losing, guys like that will definitely take a toll, I think.”