Ben Hunt pinpoints issue with Reece Walsh as Broncos' rivals respond to $1.4 million snub
The Dolphins misses out on signing the veteran NRL star, who re-joined Brisbane instead.
Ben Hunt has identified the need to get Reece Walsh more quality ball in better positions ahead of his arrival at the Brisbane Broncos. New coach Michael Maguire got his man this week when the 34-year-old Hunt agreed to re-join the Broncos on a two-year deal.
Hunt started his career at the Broncos before leaving to join the Dragons, but is returning to where it all began in 2025. The addition of the veteran half/hooker makes the Broncos a formidable force heading into next season, with a spine of Walsh, Ezra Mam (when he returns), Adam Reynolds and Hunt enough to strike fear into any opponent.
And whether Hunt is playing halfback or hooker, he's well aware that the ball he provides for Walsh will be pivotal to the Broncos' chances. “I’m really excited to be playing with a guy like Reece, he is a freakish talent with speed to burn,” Hunt told News Corp this week. “I’m looking forward to working on our game plans with ‘Reyno’ (Reynolds) because between us two old heads, we can steer the ship around and bring the best out in Reece and the rest of the side.
“Reece has unleashed himself pretty well the last few years, but any way I can come in, get him more involved in the game and get him more quality ball in better positions, I think I can help him with that. We (Hunt and Reynolds) can be very beneficial for the side and I’d love to help the younger guys take their game to another level, Reece included.”
Hunt has first-hand experience of how damaging Walsh can be, with the pair serving as Queensland teammates in State of Origin for the last two years. And Hunt appears well aware that the Broncos' chances might live and die on how much quality ball he can get to the dynamite fullback.
Ben Hunt to play in halves and hooker for Broncos
With Mam almost certain to be suspended for the start of the 2025 season, Hunt will likely play five-eighth to begin with. But once Mam is back, the versatile Hunt can switch to hooker - where he's played at representative level with Queensland and Australia.
“The best thing is that Ben understands what’s ahead of us (and) we need to create a culture that will galvanise us every day," Maguire said this week. “I have spoken to him about playing at nine or in the halves. It’s a work in progress. To have the versatility of Hunt who has played at the highest level of nine (is a blessing). We have options (at hooker) which is nice to see at training. It’s competition within (and) it’s good for the team.”
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Dolphins not dirty despite missing out on Ben Hunt
Meanwhile, the Dolphins are moving on after missing out on snaring Hunt. The Broncos' rivals reportedly offered Hunt $1.4 million to join, but he took about $200,000 less to return to Brisbane.
"I don't mind. It will be good to see him go back (to the Broncos) and finish his career there," Dolphins veteran Kenny Bromwich said on Thursday. "We have got solid halves and a lot of depth, so I am not too fussed. Isaiya (Katoa) is developing real well as a player and he's calm. We saw what he did in the international games with the Tongan boys. I think he is going to be around for a long time playing good footy."
The Dolphins will now move forward with Katoa and Kodi Nikorima as their first-choice halves pairing, and Bromwich said both have been impressive at pre-season training. "(Katoa) hasn't skipped a beat. He is looking sharp," Bromwich said.
"For those two to come in early has lifted the standard and lifts all the other boys around them. I don't expect them to come back early, but it just shows where they want to be as footy players and where this club wants to be."
