- Ben Hunt gave emotional speech on his first official day as a Bronco
- 34-year-old playmaker said returning to the Brisbane club feels right
- Hunt has played 187 of his 334 career games with the Broncos
Ben Hunt has officially returned home to the Brisbane Broncos after inking a two-year deal with the NRL club where he played most of his career.
The 34-year-old joined teammates on Moreton Island over the weekend to celebrate the new Broncos sponsor.
‘It feels really good, it feels like it’s right,’ Hunt said via News Corp.
‘It’s something I never thought was going to happen ever, and to come back and join a club and finish my career at a club like the Broncos, it’s something I’m excited about.
‘I’ve watched a bit of (the pre-season), and talking to the boys it’s looked tough so far but that’s what pre-season is about, it’s about getting fit and getting strong and prepared for the season so I’m excited to get back in the new year and rip in.’
Hunt will show up for his first official training session on January 6, after the Christmas break.
Ben Hunt has officially returned home to the Brisbane Broncos
The 34-year-old Queenslander says returning to the Broncos feels right
He will partner with Broncos captain Adam Reynolds in the halves come round one against the Roosters with Ezra Mam’s looming suspension for driving unlicensed and having drugs in his system.
The former St George Illawarra Dragons captain went close to winning the 2015 grand final with the Broncos, a decider that finished in heartbreak in a golden-point loss to North Queensland.
‘Hunty’s come in now, he’s a Bronco again. How good,’ said coach Michael Maguire.
‘I’ve had many conversations with him since signing and agreeing, I think he’s going to be really special for us.
‘His experience and getting around the players, and everyone has looked up to him for years and I know he has a hunger to succeed.
‘I know he’s been focused around every day at training and building a team. One thing I’ve got to know about him over this last little period is the team man he is, and no wonder everyone loves playing with him.’
Hunt – who can also play hooker – agonised over the decision with regards to his future.
For Hunt there is also a sense of ‘unfinished business’ at the Broncos.
Hunt will show up for his first official training session with the Broncos on January 6
In the Australian camp in November, Hunt said returning to Brisbane was a romantic notion he would relish.
It was a dream he had not been able to realise, until now.
Hunt was first recruited to the Broncos as a 12-year-old by legendary talent scout Cyril Connell and came through the under-20s program before making his first grade debut in 2009.
The Queensland star contacted Roosters coach Trent Robinson and Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf on Tuesday to let them know his decision.
It was his own initiative and in keeping with the decorum and honesty with which has has always conducted himself.
The partnership between Hunt and Reynolds in the halves will give the Broncos creativity and organisation on both sides of the field.
Reynolds said he was relishing the prospect of playing alongside Hunt.
‘Ben’s a great player, with what he brings to the football field. He’s a leader off the football field as well, which is super important in any organisation,’ he said.
‘He’s an X-factor and among some of the game’s greats, and obviously it would be a big benefit to get him here to the club.’
That benefit is now a tangible one, and new coach Michael Maguire will be licking his lips about the prospect of Hunt igniting a return to finals.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .