In a grand final of redemption stories, Hunt leads pack
Scott Bailey |
Ben Hunt has detailed how he was driven to return to Brisbane to win a premiership for the club, 10 years on from being at the centre of the ultimate grand-final heartbreak.
Hunt will play his first grand final since the 2015 decider on Sunday night, starting in the halves against Melbourne with Ezra Mam to come off the Broncos’ bench.
Much has been made of the redemption storyline headed into Sunday’s decider.
Ten Broncos remain from the 2023 decider when players could have been forgiven for thinking they had the title won as they led Penrith 24-8.
Adam Reynolds has his own redemption arc, after also missing a conversion from the sideline late in the 2021 grand final for South Sydney to go with his 2023 disappointment.
But nowhere does the redemption angle resonate more with than Hunt’s story.
One of the best players of his generation, Hunt’s career has almost unfairly been linked to the Broncos’ 2015 loss to North Queensland and his spilled ball in golden point.
The playmaker has previously spoken of how that moment made him as a person and a better player, albeit after falling out of love with the game during dark times following it.
“Ten years on is quite a long time in rugby league,” Hunt says of the 2015 grand final.
“I’m really happy to be here now and back with this great club. It means the world, it really does.”
Hunt has made no secret of having unfinished business since returning to the Broncos at the end of last year following his St George Illawarra exit.
Before he had even signed with Brisbane, the 35-year-old was speaking of the lure of going back and winning a premiership.
“Most of it was driven by the dream of coming back to this club and winning a premiership,” Hunt said.
“This great club gave me so much as a kid, and helped develop me and turn me into the person I was.
“There was a lot that went into it, along with that I believed the club had the squad with the talent to go all the way and make a push.
“I am getting pretty late on in my career and haven’t won one yet, so that was definitely on my mind.”
Hunt’s signature has proven a masterstroke for the Broncos and coach Michael Maguire.
Brought back as a hooker providing halves cover, Hunt has started 16 of his 20 games in the halves this season with Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds having time out.
“It would be a great story, wouldn’t it?” Maguire said of the prospect of Hunt winning one at the Broncos..
“Hunty is a legend … To see his resilience through everything.
“He has been able to come back now with a great group and they look up to Hunty. He is a legend in what he has done.
“But he has his opportunity now to create his own little piece of history within the Broncos.”
AAP
