The Brisbane Broncos coach is facing another dilemma after a number of setbacks.
The Brisbane Broncos have been hit with a double blow ahead of Ben Hunt’s return with Blake Mozer and Corey Jensen both expected to miss at least four weeks after injury setbacks. After Mozer recently re-signed to stay at the Broncos for another two years, but has not featured under Michael Maguire in the 2025 season.
Unfortunately, it appears he will be battling to return before the end of the regular season having broken his jaw in the Queensland Cup game on the weekend. According to The Courier Mail, Mozer left the field for a HIA and didn’t return.
Although it appears Mozer fractured his jaw during the incident and could spend between six to eight weeks out. Mozer had only recently returned for the Broncos’ feeder team after suffering a shoulder injury in pre-season. Mozer is considered a future star at No.9, but has not been used by Maguire so far this season.
While Mozer is set for some time on the sideline, reports suggest so will Jensen. The forward was a late withdrawal from the Broncos side to face the Bulldogs last week. And it appears Maguire won’t be able to call upon the front-rower after he recovers from Deep Vein Thrombosis. Jensen is set to miss at least four weeks after suffering from the blood clot, according to The Sporting News.
Ben Hunt makes NRL return after injury
While it appears the Broncos won’t be able to call on the rising star and veteran for a number of weeks, Maguire has named Hunt this weekend. The veteran recruit injured himself against the Rabbitohs and hasn’t played since round 10.
The 35-year-old was playing five-eighth before his injury, but with Ezra Mam’s return the veteran is expected to switch to dummy-half. Having played plenty of No.9 for Queensland in State of Origin, Hunt could add some more experience to the spine, before the utility comes on.
Billy Walters is expected to keep his position in the 17 after a strong few weeks. Kobe Hetherington was full of praise for Hunt ahead of his return.
“Everyone knows how good a player he is,” Hetherington said. “He is in the leadership group for a reason and brings that leadership, and all us younger fellas get around him. He is such a good talker and is tough as well. We have seen what he has done at Origin playing that hooker role, so if he can bring that back here the boys will be cheering.”
Confident Broncos ready for top eight challenge
The Broncos are riding a wave of momentum after coming back from 18-0 down to defeat the Bulldogs last Thursday with a number if key players out due to injury and Origin. And Hetherington claimed the squad was feeling confident after the win.
That is one of the best wins I have been a part of in my career,” Hetherington said. “Our back was on the fence in the first half and Madge (coach Michael Maguire) brought us in and said ‘boys, keep sticking with it’.
“In the first half I thought we defended well, and Madge said ‘stay in it and we will get them the back end of the half’. We all believed. We had all those players out (due to Origin and injury) and everyone stood up. It was a good feeling.”
