The Michael Maguire era at Brisbane has begun with a grueling training session in searing heat that could easily be tagged “The Hunt for Broncos’ October”. On the lips of watching fans and media was the possibility of a return of former St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt to the NRL club where he made his name. The lips of the players were parched after being flogged in 30-plus-degree heat at the unorthodox time – for the Broncos at least – of 1.
30pm. Prop Martin Taupau threw up at the end of it. Maguire, determined to get the club back to playing in the big dance in October as soon as he can, said in characteristic fashion that the timing of training was “just the norm”.
The new coach also waxed lyrical about why securing Hunt for the 2025 season was on his radar, while realistically stating there was plenty to do to make that a reality. Hunt, 34, said in Australian camp this week that returning to the Broncos was on his agenda and had a certain “romance” about it, considering he was signed as a 12-year-old and played his best football at the club in 187 games. Hunt’s manager Col Davis is speaking to several clubs about their interest, with the Broncos one, and after his commitments in the Australia camp at the Pacific Championships are over those conversations will ramp up.
“Ben is a world-class player and has plenty of experience” Maguire said. “We all know what he is capable of and what he would bring to the place. We will let him go through the.
