'Show it wasn't a fluke': Ben Hunt's telling Origin verdict as Broncos gear up for title defence
Throughout the 10 agonising years that parted Ben Hunt's premiership heartbreak with the Broncos and grand final glory upon his return to Brisbane, exorcising his demons on the biggest stage, including that kick-off memory, drove the gun playmaker.
The driver now?
"Aw, mate," the 35-year-old said when asked that question at a pre-season Broncos training camp in Toowoomba, just over 100 kilometres west of Brisbane.
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"The goal is to go again and show it wasn't a fluke.
"You always want another one; it's what you play the game for. I'm over the moon and super proud and just grateful that I got one, but another one would be nice."
Ben Hunt speaking to media in Toowoomba. 9News
Hunt has said a number of times that he never seriously considered calling time on his career after breaking the hoodoo in October.
He bounced between five-eighth, halfback and hooker last season as the Broncos reinvented on the run as injuries felled key players.
He's poised to begin the 2026 season in the No.9 jumper, as Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds reunite in the halves.
Hunt is contracted to the Broncos until the end of 2026 but is yet to rule out playing on in 2027.
Asked if he had any plans to retire from State of Origin to potentially prolong his NRL career, the 355-game veteran made his thinking clear.
From left: Ben Hunt, Jordan Riki and Pat Carrigan after the Broncos' grand final triumph. NRL Imagery
"I think I'll always put my hand up, unless I believe that I'm not up to the standard. And I think if I'm not up to the standard then Billy [Slater, the Queensland coach] is definitely not calling me," Hunt said.
"As long as I'm playing good footy and Bill's got that belief in me, then I'll always play."
The Maroons great was in contention to play Origin last year until he was cruelled by a hamstring injury in the lead-up to game one, sidelining him as Queensland fought back for a famous series win in a Sydney decider.
"You're always hopeful to play Origin, for sure," added Hunt, whose best chance of Maroons selection this year is as a bench utility.
"I've always said I'll never turn down a jersey if I get the opportunity.
"There's a lot of things I need to do right to be getting back there. Harry Grant played one of the best series he's played last year, so if he's fit he's probably in there again."
On a humorous note, word has filtered through that some of the bigger-bodied Broncos players were met with not-so-ideal bedding arrangements on the Toowoomba camp.
"There were a couple of big boys that had to get some different beds put in for them," Hunt grinned.
"They'll complain about sleeping still.
"I think big Xavier Willison's legs were still hanging over by about that far," he added, signalling the length of roughly a Steeden.
