Brisbane Broncos’ halfback equation just got a whole lot messier.<\/p>\n
Ben Hunt<\/a> is poised to sign a one-year extension with the Broncos, according to Pete Cadel from The Courier Mail, turning what was already a two-horse race for the No.7 jersey into a three-way battle that has the rugby league world talking.<\/p>\n With Adam Reynolds<\/a> calling time on his career at the end of the 2026 season, the Broncos had seemingly mapped out their halves’ future, signing Jonah Pezet<\/a> on a three-year deal starting from the 2027 season after he opted out of his deal with the Storm and signed a one-year deal with the Eels.<\/p>\n Thomas Duffy joined the Broncos from the North Queensland Cowboys<\/a> and has shown plenty of potential as well.<\/p>\n Now, Hunt wants back in the mix, and he’s not interested in coming off the bench.<\/p>\n Pete Badel reported the story on NRL 360 Wednesday night, but was quick to flag the financial headache heading Brisbane’s way.<\/p>\n “The word that I’ve got is he’ll [Ben Hunt<\/a>] be doing a new deal with the Broncos in the coming weeks,” Badel said on NRL<\/a> 360.<\/p>\n “This is massive. He was expected to retire at the end of the season, a bit like Adam Reynolds<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Reynolds caught the Broncos off guard last year when he said he wanted to go for another season. They had to juggle the salary cap to accommodate him.<\/p>\n “Now Ben Hunt<\/a> says, I want to go on another 12 months. He’ll be 37 next year.”<\/p>\n Badel admitted the decision surprised him, particularly given Hunt finally got his hands on a premiership in 2025.<\/p>\n “I’m a little bit stunned,” the journalist said.<\/p>\n “I think it would have been the right time for Ben to go this year, but it now creates a real salary cap headache because they’re going to have to find another 12 months and $500,000 for Ben Hunt<\/a>.”<\/p>\n The Daily Telegraph’s Brent Read wasn’t mincing his words either, arguing the Broncos simply can’t justify that price tag for a player he believes is no longer a starter.<\/p>\n “They can’t pay him that, they can’t because for me, Ben Hunt<\/a> now at this point in his career, he’s a bench player,” Read said.<\/p>\n “I know he said he wants to play halfback, but let’s be honest.<\/p>\n “I think they’ve moved on beyond him as their halfback, and they’ve obviously signed Jonah Pezet<\/a> for next year. Tom Duffy’s doing a good job.<\/p>\n “I think if you re-sign Ben Hunt<\/a>, you re-sign him and tell him you’re our No.14. That’s the role you play and you’re not paying him half a million dollars.”<\/p>\n There was pushback from Badel, stressing that Hunt has no intention of settling for a bit-part role.<\/p>\n “The problem is he sees himself as a No.7, that’s his preferred position,” he said.<\/p>\n Read remained unmoved, insisting the talent is already there at halfback, and aimed the club’s failure to lock up Billy Walters<\/a>, who is currently rehabbing an ACL injury suffered in their finals matchup against the Canberra Raiders<\/a>.<\/p>\n “Well, I understand what he sees, but that’s not his decision,” Read said.<\/p>\n “That’s Madge’s decision, the club’s decision, and I know Billy Walters<\/a> hasn’t resigned for next year, but I would re-sign Billy Walters<\/a>.<\/p>\n “And I’d be saying to Ben Hunt<\/a>, if you re-sign, you’re fighting with Billy Walters<\/a> for the No.14 spot, and if Billy’s going better than you, you’re not in the team.”<\/p>\n Badel raised questions about whether Pezet or Duffy is truly ready to steer the ship from Round 1 in 2027.<\/p>\n “The other options are Tom Duffy<\/a>, eight first-grade games, is he proven yet? Perhaps not,” Badel raised.<\/p>\n