Ben hunts happy homecoming as Broncos eye Pre-Season crown

Off-season recruit Ben Hunt feels he is back where he belongs and is “pretty eager” to be taking the field again for Brisbane after being named in their Pre-Season Challenge line-up.

“I was hoping Madge would play me last week, to be honest, I was pretty eager to get out there, but yeah, extremely excited and I was very grateful to be back here and running around in the maroon again,” Hunt said prior to Saturday’s match against the Bulldogs.

“He hasn't come to me about timings yet, but I know we've named 28 players, so I’m sure I won't be playing the full game, but we'll sort that out in the next couple of days.

“It does feel like I’m back where I belong.

“There's always a part of me that wanted to come back, but then there was always a part that I never thought it would happen, so to be home now and playing where it all started, it's something I'm really excited about.”

Hunt and fellow 34-year-old Adam Reynolds line up in the halves, bringing a staggering 621 games of experience to the party as Brisbane chase their first NRL title since 2006.

“I just think our experience and calmness, there's a lot of exciting young, electric players on this team and if we can come together and just bring a calmness to the group and really control our footy and get us running the park, I think that's what's going to benefit us most," Hunt said.

“Yeah, it is pretty lethal (linking up with Walsh), one thing I was really excited about coming to the Broncos was playing alongside guys like that, it's something you don't get to do very often. 

“I think he hasn't been unleashed yet, I'd like to see what he's got still up his sleeve.

“He's pretty good, Reece. It's just about keeping him calm and waiting to use his opportunities, so I'm excited to play with him too.”

Following their strong showing against the Titans in Round 2 of the competition, a win over the Bulldogs would see the Broncos well placed to make it back-to-back Pre-Season Challenge titles and give them an ideal start to the 2025 season.

“It would be nice... ” Hunt said. “(In pre-season games) you want to go out and you work on all the things that you've worked on in pre-season.

“You understand it's probably going to be scrappy at times because it is your first game, but just try and complete high and defend well, I think they're the biggest goals.”