Ben Hunt will head back to where it all began for him after signing with Brisbane on a two-year deal.
The halfback’s future has been one of the main talking points of the off-season so far after his, at times, tumultuous stay at St George Illawarra finally came to an end.
The Dragons opted to release their former skipper from the final year of his deal as Hunt’s discontent at the club reached breaking point.
The veteran attempted to leave last year but was persuaded to stay by then incoming coach Shane Flanagan.
However, the premiership-winning mentor revealed it was in the best interests of both parties to go their separate ways after a disappointing end to the 2024 campaign.
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Ben Hunt signs Broncos contract after Dragons exit
Hunt was linked to a host of potential suitors after becoming a free agent, with Canterbury, Sydney Roosters and the Dolphins all reported to have retained an interest in his signature.
In the end, it's the pull of returning back home to Queensland to play for his former club that has won out.
"This is very special," Hunt said.
"It was a tough decision for myself and my family, but in my heart it was really always driving me back to the Broncos, and in the end, it became really clear.
"To be able to finish my career at the Broncos is something that I never thought I’d have the opportunity to do and I’ll cherish it."
Michael Maguire confirmed the club's interest in the playmaker, who topped the league’s try assist count last season with 30, in early November.
The former New South Wales coach noted how the Broncos had been pushing hard for the 34-year-old as they attempt to recover from a horror season.
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Brisbane’s 12th place finish on the ladder resulted in Kevin Walters being shown the exit, while questions around Ezra Mam’s future at the club emerged after a serious off-field incident.
Given the likely lengthy suspension the young gun will cop from the NRL, Hunt could be set to form a partnership alongside Adam Reynolds in the halves.
Alternatively, he could revive his role in the Queensland and Australia set-ups, where he has often been utilised at hooker.
"Ben has been a Bronco since he was 13," Maguire said.
"Since then, he’s proven himself at every level of the game.
"He’ll bring us great depth and will be a wonderful fit for what we are building - not just on the field. He’ll play a big part in building the culture we want to create together as a group."
Hunt previously featured for the Broncos 187 times across a near decade-long stay at Red Hill until he left to join the Dragons.
He will now have the chance to add to this tally while trying to win an elusive premiership when he returns to the club where he made his NRL debut back in 2009.
"We’re thrilled to be bringing Ben and his family home - where he belongs," Brisbane's CEO Dave Donaghy said.
"Players of his calibre don’t stay available for long, and it was important to us for Ben to know he was very much wanted here, but we also understand that this was a big decision for Ben and his family."
"Like all of us, Ben wants to achieve success, and it would be incredibly special if he can do that back here at the Broncos," Maguire added.
"These types of storylines don’t come up all that often in sport."
