The returning Broncos star has a bigger role after the injury of his halves partner.
Ben Hunt’s signing at the Brisbane Broncos has been praised as a masterstroke with AAP reporter Joel Gould claiming the veteran has taken over in Adam Reynolds’ absence. The Broncos and new coach Michael Maguire were delivered a brutal blow at the end of 2024 with Reynolds undergoing minor surgery after a training mishap saw him injure his nerves.
Reynolds is set to be out for around four weeks and could even return only weeks before round 1 in March. And in his absence new recruit Hunt has taken over the reins at training.
Hunt, along with Reynolds, are the senior NRL players at the club. Even though Hunt has only just joined his new teammates at pre-season training – upon his return to the Broncos – the timing couldn’t be more valuable with Reynolds and Ezra Mam missing from training.
And reporter Gould believes Hunt is already having a major impact with Reynolds’ fitness a worry heading into the new season. “One thing I have noticed with Ben Hunt, with Reynolds having neck surgery and Mam training but not going to play…Ben Hunt has really taken control,” Gould said on SEN Radio on Friday.
“He looks a million dollars. Hunt has hardly been injured in his NRL career. I think this is the dream for Ben Hunt to come back to the Broncos. A club he never really wanted to leave. You can just tell he has taken over. And the next month is critical for Brisbane. Hunt will be calling plays, learning plays and telling players where to go.
“And Reynolds will come back into the picture just before round one. I think this is a crucial period for Brisbane and they are lucky to have Ben Hunt there.”
Gould’s praise comes after Hunt’s teammate Hetherington praised his leadership at training. “Hunty has been really good,” Broncos forward Hetherington said. “He is a leader and has been unreal for the younger fellas and blokes likes me. He is real good at talking and getting you where you need to go.”
Hunt is set to partner Reynolds in round one in the halves. But Maguire will have a big decision to make when Mam returns after his nine-game suspension. The new Broncos coach will need to decide on whether to shift Hunt to No.9 – where he has played for Queensland and the Kangaroos – or keep him alongside Reynolds.
Patrick Carrigan facing potential switch
Gould also confirmed there is some growing speculation around Patrick Carrigan potentially moving to prop to accomodate Hetherington in the starting side. According to the Courier Mail, Maguire is considering moving Carrigan to front-row and starting Hetherington at lock. It would be a bold call from Maguire, but the new coach is keen to shake things up and turn the struggling club around.
Hetherington has set his sights on the lock position but admitted he is focused on training hard under the new coach. “Everyone wants to start. That’s my goal and what I am trying to do this pre-season,” he said on Thursday. “It’s a big challenge but I’m up for it. I just have to keep training hard and stay injury free but I have got to give myself every opportunity to get that jersey.”
“Madge focuses on all the little things … working from the inside, tying in and real hard work. This training is my sort of style. I like all that hard work and we’re really focusing on defence.”
