GOODNEWS, Ben Hunt on the brink of joining Brisbane Broncos regardless of Ezra Mam’s fate after new development emerges
The Brisbane Broncos may have found a way to sign Ben Hunt by leveraging an NRL loophole, regardless of any developments in Ezra Mam’s car accident incident. Mam, currently in rehab following a traffic accident last month where he allegedly drove unlicensed, is expected to rejoin his Broncos teammates for pre-season training next week. Queensland police reported that Mam failed an initial roadside drug test after the accident, in which a young girl sustained a broken hip. However, no charges have been filed against him yet. The Broncos and the NRL appear inclined to offer Mam a second chance, with discussions suggesting his five-year, $4 million contract may not be terminated even if he is found guilty.
If permitted to stay on, Mam would likely face a substantial fine and could be sidelined for the first few months of the 2025 season. There have been speculations that the Broncos could request a salary cap exemption to sign a replacement for Mam, who is reportedly earning around $800,000 per season. Although Hunt’s current market value sits around $900,000, the NRL has indicated they would not approve any discounted deal for him if he were to join a new team.
The Courier Mail reports that the Broncos would face challenges securing a salary cap exemption if Mam is suspended. With approximately $500,000 of cap space left, even shedding a fringe player might still leave Brisbane short of the funds needed to acquire Hunt. However, there’s another potential pathway for Brisbane to afford Hunt’s talent, irrespective of Mam’s situation.
The key lies in the NRL’s trade window, which opens on November 1, marking the official start of player contracts for the following season. If Hunt remains unsigned, his $900,000 valuation drops by $75,000 for each month he remains a free agent. This means that if the Broncos wait until January to make a move, Hunt’s value could fall to $750,000—a more manageable amount within their cap space.
Hunt, currently training with the Kangaroos squad for the upcoming Pacific Championship final against Tonga, wouldn’t need to report back for club pre-season until January due to NRL’s mandatory 10-week break. Despite his focus on the Championships, Hunt has expressed a clear desire to return to Queensland, a prospect Broncos coach Michael Maguire supports, stating Hunt’s skill would be a valuable addition to the team.
Nevertheless, Brisbane faces strong competition for Hunt’s signature, especially from the Dolphins. With around $1.3 million of cap space, the Dolphins could outbid the Broncos and offer Hunt a lucrative opportunity to finish his career closer to home. New Dolphins head coach Kristian Woolf, who is leading Tonga in the Pacific Cup final, has already expressed interest in discussing Hunt’s future if he is open to joining the Dolphins. Woolf sees Hunt as an experienced figure who could enhance the team and mentor rising talents like Isaiya Katoa.
“If Ben is keen to have a chat, then I am definitely keen to have a chat to him as well,” Woolf told The Courier Mail. “I am really pleased with the progress of our squad at the Dolphins. We’ve built a solid foundation over the past few seasons, and while I’m satisfied with our roster, Ben Hunt is a class player. If he’s interested, we’d certainly be open to that conversation.”
