Unleashing the Demon: Brisbane Broncos' Ben Hunt's Quest for Premiership Glory
For the past decade, Ben Hunt has been haunted by the ghost of premierships past, a constant reminder of the glory he once had but couldn't grasp. But now, the 35-year-old playmaker is ready to exorcise those demons, driven by a burning desire to prove it wasn't a fluke when he finally broke the premiership hoodoo. In an exclusive interview, Hunt reveals his motivation and the driving force behind his determination to go again.
"Aw, mate," Hunt said with a smile, when asked about his motivation. "The goal is to go again and show it wasn't a fluke. You always want another one; it's what you play the game for. I'm over the moon and super proud and just grateful that I got one, but another one would be nice."
Hunt's journey to premiership glory has been a rollercoaster ride, bouncing between five-eighth, halfback, and hooker as the Broncos reinvented themselves on the fly due to injuries. But now, with a new season looming, he's poised to begin in the No.9 jumper, as Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds reunite in the halves.
Despite his success, Hunt has never seriously considered calling time on his career after breaking the hoodoo in October. "I think I'll always put my hand up, unless I believe that I'm not up to the standard," he said. "And I think if I'm not up to the standard then Billy [Slater, the Queensland coach] is definitely not calling me. As long as I'm playing good footy and Bill's got that belief in me, then I'll always play."
But Hunt's focus isn't just on the NRL. The Maroons great is also in contention to play Origin, a series he was on the cusp of last year until a hamstring injury sidelined him. "You're always hopeful to play Origin, for sure," Hunt said. "I've always said I'll never turn down a jersey if I get the opportunity. There's a lot of things I need to do right to be getting back there. Harry Grant played one of the best series he's played last year, so if he's fit he's probably in there again."
On a humorous note, Hunt also shared a lighthearted anecdote about the bedding arrangements at the Toowoomba camp. "There were a couple of big boys that had to get some different beds put in for them," he said with a grin. "They'll complain about sleeping still. I think big Xavier Willison's legs were still hanging over by about that far," he added, signaling the length of roughly a Steeden.
As the Broncos prepare for the 2026 season, Hunt's determination and motivation are a beacon of hope for the team. With a new season comes new opportunities, and Hunt is ready to seize them, driven by a burning desire to prove himself and a commitment to the game he loves.
