There was talk earlier in the season that Hunt could consider retiring, while the signing of Jonah Pezet and recent extension of Tom Duffy also signalled the Broncos could prioritise building for the future. <\/p>\n
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Instead, they have found a way to both do that and keep Hunt at Red Hill, with the 36-year-old officially staying put another year. <\/p>\n
The question moving forward is where he will play with Billy Walters, Blake Mozer and Cory Paix all options at hooker while Duffy and Pezet join Ezra Mam as contenders to play in the halves next year. <\/p>\n
Of course, with Adam Reynolds retiring the Broncos could turn to Hunt as a more experienced option to fill the leadership void, but there is a genuine question as to whether the 36-year-old can be as effective in the modern, fast-paced game. <\/p>\n
Code Sports reporter Brent Read said he was \u201csurprised\u201d by the news and that his \u201cissue\u201d with the decision was what message it sent soon-to-be new recruit Pezet.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously they\u2019ve been in talks with him and he wanted to go around another year, but they\u2019ve still got Billy Walters\u2019 (deal) to do. I believe they haven\u2019t done that deal yet. And Ben\u2019s form hasn\u2019t been great. He\u2019s 36,\u201d Read said on NRL 360.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy issue was he\u2019s publicly come out and said he wants to be the halfback. You\u2019ve got Jonah Pezet going there next year. You brought him to play halfback and you\u2019ve got a bloke that is publicly saying I want to play halfback, you\u2019ve re-signed him for another year. <\/p>\n
\u201cI just think it puts pressure (on him) that\u2019s not necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n Bulldog BLOWS UP over Loz treatment | 01:31<\/p>\n Read did later add that his understanding is Hunt is not the type to \u201ccause drama\u201d, while in Brisbane\u2019s defence Pezet has been hardly convincing at Parramatta this year and battled injuries, so it makes some sense to have optionality.<\/p>\n But like Read, veteran rugby league reporter Dean Ritchie questioned if the decision could \u201cunsettle\u201d Pezet before he even arrives at Red Hill.<\/p>\n \u201cIt would intimidate the kid to think he\u2019s gone up there, probably under the proviso he would be the starting halfback… and Ben\u2019s a winner. I get that he wants to play first grade and wants to start. But I think for Ben to publicly say that would unsettle the young (halfback),\u201d Ritchie said.<\/p>\n Now, it helped that Pezet\u2019s agent Braith Anasta was on the 360 panel to respond to those questions. <\/p>\n For him, speaking not as Pezet\u2019s agent but in the hypothetical scenario that he was working at the Broncos, he said an assessment on Hunt\u2019s extension would ultimately come down to price.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it was the right price, he\u2019s an experienced player and can play a number of positions… I think it really depends on the dollar amount,\u201d Anasta said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s unlikely he\u2019s going to play seven. Look at his form this year. He\u2019s getting older every year, that\u2019s the reality…. they will find value for him, if it\u2019s at the right price.\u201d<\/p>\n Of course, as much as Pezet was signed at the time as Brisbane\u2019s halfback of the future, that was before Duffy\u2019s emergence and now he has earned a two-year extension.<\/p>\n In fact, premiership-winning halfback Cooper Cronk told foxsports.com.au on Monday he would have Duffy in front of Pezet in the pecking order for next year.<\/p>\n \u201cThe times Duffy has played, he hasn\u2019t been overawed but he has stood up and taken extra credit, particularly when he played for Adam Reynolds, he kicked and ran really well,\u201d Cronk said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s enough in me right now that says Thomas Duffy is probably the number seven for Brisbane next year ahead of Jonah Pezet.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n CRAWLS: Ricky truth that can no longer be ignored; Roosters\u2019 $1m mistake<\/a><\/p>\n