Ezra Mam detail comes to light as Ben Hunt makes huge call on return to Brisbane Broncos

Ben Hunt has revealed he'd love to make a fairytale return to the Brisbane Broncos, and a crucial decision on Ezra Mam could make it possible. Hunt is searching for a new NRL club after the Dragons agreed to release him and terminate the final year of his $950,000 contract.

The 34-year-old spent seven seasons at St George Illawarra after leaving the Broncos in 2018 on a million-dollar per-season contract. Prior to that, Hunt played in Brisbane for nine years and has been linked with a return to his former club.

And discussing the situation in Kangaroos camp on Sunday, the halfback said he'd love to return to where it all began. "Brisbane will always have a soft spot for me," he said when asked about a potential return. "I have been involved in the club since I was 12. They put a lot of work into me, and if I had the opportunity to go finish there it would be pretty special. But I've got to see if that can all work."

The NRL is likely to insist Hunt's new club pay him around the same amount he was earning at the Dragons, meaning he won't be able to take a cut-price deal. That would seemingly rule the Broncos out of contention due to salary cap restraints, with big money tied up in contracts for Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Ezra Mam and Patrick Carrigan.

But the NRL's decision on Mam could pave the way for the Broncos to snare Hunt. Mam is waiting to receive the results of a secondary drug test after he was involved in a traffic collision last month while allegedly unlicensed.

The five-eighth allegedly failed a roadside drug test and has since checked himself into a rehab clinic after a four-year-old girl suffered a broken hip in the crash. According to reports, the NRL and Broncos are leaning towards giving Mam a second chance and not terminating his five-year, $4 million contract.

Ezra Mam decision could open Broncos door for Ben Hunt

A big suspension is the more likely scenario, although he could also face the NRL's no-fault stand-down policy if the matter goes to court and drags on. If Mam is stood down by the NRL until the matter is resolved, Brisbane might be able to apply for salary cap dispensation for a like-for-like player. Considering Mam is on around $800,000 per season, it could open the door for Hunt to join.

Broncos captain Patrick Carrigan said of Hunt's potential signing on Sunday: "It would be awesome to have him back at the club. It's exciting. The best thing for Benny will be the best thing for Benny. But a Broncos jersey would be nice.

"Benny is a leader, with his stature in the game, playing the representative footy he has. He's still doing it week in week out and can do it in a number of positions, which is important for any club."

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Hunt would also fill a void of leadership and experience that the Broncos were missing in 2024 as they slumped to a 12th-place finish. It appears likely the veteran half will end up at a Queensland team, where he and his wife are both from.

But Hunt has revealed he's also open to staying in Sydney, with the Roosters and Bulldogs touted as suitors. "I am definitely open to (staying in Sydney). No doors are shut anywhere," he said. "I think the biggest priority is just wanting to enjoy my footy and try and go somewhere we can win a competition. I would really love the opportunity to go to a team that I think can win one."

with AAP