News Ben Hunt moves to Broncos

[Tassie Devil]

Hunt needed Widdop and Milford to carry him to the finals and people think he’s walking in at 35 and taking us to a comp

Who's saying he'll take us to a comp? Must've missed that?

Personally I don't think we've got a chance to win it in the next 2 years, but I do believe we can establish an incredible foundation that will lead tonus winning multiple premierships in the next decade.

Does bringing in Hunt mean he's being brought in to win us premierships?

I prefer to think he's coming to make us more competitive as a group, and to also help our younger players mature and be ready in 2 years.

On that alone I think it's a no brainer.

A premiership would be a bonus.

 

[Rumdogmillionaire]

Yh his zero ball carrying threat is awesome

He looks like he should be a ball carrying threat - like a nippy half back can be.
If he was - he'd be useful in that role.
But sadly - he's not a threat - yet!! . He never breaks the line.
He doesn't probe and puts someone else in the hole. This should be his bread and butter if he wants to cement a place in a premiership team.
Sure he can pass the ball out the back effectively ... (but so what?? - if you can't do that as an NRL player - my question is WHY NOT?? - you are a professional - upskill for fuck's sake - you have enough time on your hands - that is your JOB!!!)
Hayward has great stats with regards to low error counts & he defends tirelessly. In short his effort areas are 100% what we want!
But & it's a BIG BUT - his missed/ineffective tackle rate is at a higher level than almost all other forwards (including Mahoney).
As much as I love his "Dogs DNA and his effort" ....if we're serious about assembling a premiership winning team - all players have to meet certain KPI's for their positions & sadly Hayward has not satisfied that criteria (yet). Let's hope he can lift his game to yet another level in 2025 and be the player we all want him to be.

 

[T DAWG]

My issue is we sign hunt short term and we have a very small window if two years to win a premiership. We then lose Sexton because of this, and if you ask me he will only get better and give us a longer window until Mitchell Woods is ready for FG. Do we take this risk and lose Sexton when there aren't in premium 7s on the market that I can see now and in the immediate future and put all.our eggs in the one basket hoping Woods transitions to FG and is a success?

 

[alic]

Hunt would be immense . This was so evident when Burton was absent from the side .
Sorry but Sexton and Hutchinson can not lead sides around . No brainer, one thing Hunt can do is steer a team with a decent long and short kicking game .
Also has a threat on taking the line on.

I still think he will be at the Roosters though.

 

[bradyk]

No brainer for Hunt to pick us. He wants the best chance to win a competition while playing halfback and still getting paid, I'm also pretty sure I heard his preference now is Sydney. All of that pretty much rules out every other club interested. I think besides Rooster and Bronco we're the best chance of winning a competition (I know some will say we're a higher chance than Rooster, fair opinion if you think so), but both those clubs want to use him as hooker (Bronco straight away, Rooster when troops are back). Our only threat should be Rooster upping their offer (as 500k reportedly is low imo) and guaranteeing him to play in the halves for 2 years, but that could also clash playstyle wise with Sam Walker (both wanting to be dominant halves). I will be very happy with this signing (who could tell?) if it happens, I've wanted him for over 1 year now.

 

[Philmus]

We lost alot when mann got injured but gotta ask why.. If we had a good dominant 7 would our ball playing lock be as important?

yeo and cleary

 

[Philmus]

The roosters have never failed to sign a player they were interested in.

fifita?

 

[bradyk]

We lost alot when mann got injured but gotta ask why.. If we had a good dominant 7 would our ball playing lock be as important?

It's harder for a half to go missing when there's 3 of them on the field. You're always going to have a linker and another half sweeping out the back helping your attack be ruthless.

 

[Bulldog1966]

Little doubt that Hunt is an improvement on what we have. But he's 34 years old. Lets keep Sexton until Woods is ready.

DCE turns 36 in Feb, I'm not too worried about his age tbh..maybe a slight concern at most.
Someone said buy forwards instead, there are none for 2025 that ship has sailed and some half opportunities were lost throughout the year.We will have to be ok with the forwards we have for 2025, I think we will be.
So if Hunt is in I'd say we definitely improve, this will be unfortunate for Sexy but it's a cut-throat comp these days.

 

[Bulldog1966]

Just noticed someone has already edited his page on Wikipedia, stating he has signed with us for 2 years

Joel..go have a look and get yourself all fired up brah!

 

[Matthew G]

With Ben Hunt now likely signing with the us it got me thinking of our options to fit all our best players into the 17.

Matt Burton and Stehpen Chrictons versatility at filling different positions give us some flexibility.

Obviously keeping Burton at six is the go long term, but if it helps us win a comp in the next couple of years (before Hunt retires) there’s a few other options to consider.

Option One

Push Sexton to NSW cup and keep Burto at six.

1. Tracey
2. Kiraz
3. Xerri
4. Crichton
5. Montoya
6. Burton
7. Hunt

The problem there is it will probably piss off Sexy and he will look for a release…

Option Two

Move Burton to the centres (just until Hunt retires)

1. Tracey
2. Kiraz
3. Burton
4. Crichton
5. Xerri
6. Sexton
7. Hunt

Critter has also shown previously that he’s happy to play wing as well so he could play wing and keep Xerri at centre.

Sexton keeps his starting spot…

Option Three

Move Burton to lock in a Yeo pivot style role.
This is actually my favourite option (aside from keeping him at six) because he’s a big body and can play both sides of the ruck.
I think he would actually see more ball this way than just playing exclusively on the left.
There’s attack across the park there and Burtons running game should straighten up the attack and provide plenty of space out wide.
Sexton keeps his starting spot and everyone is happy until Hunt retires…

1. CT
2. Kiraz
3. Xerri
4. Chricton
5. Montoya/Wilson
6. Sexton
7. Hunt
13. Burton

The other benefit here is there's a lot of flex should someone get a concussion or injury.

Thoughts Kennel people?

Option 2 and 3 are ridiculous suggestions lol

 

[chisdog]

Can't, still in rehab

He got out 2 days ago. Hasn't he called you yet?

 

[chisdog]

The roosters have never failed to sign a player they were interested in.

Paul Alamoti?

 

[Johnnny2233]

Hunt would be immense . This was so evident when Burton was absent from the side .
Sorry but Sexton and Hutchinson can not lead sides around . No brainer, one thing Hunt can do is steer a team with a decent long and short kicking game .
Also has a threat on taking the line on.

I still think he will be at the Roosters though.

So true I hope I really hope so HUNT signing’s with the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs!!!!

He would take it to a new level 100% GUS just friging sign him f sake the money is there use it!!!!

 

[Kaz]

He got out 2 days ago. Hasn't he called you yet?

I can't comment on grounds it may incriminate.

 

[Timbo_Dogs]

Does anyone have an idea by when we will hear something, with pre season already begun surely Hunt would have to be swift now to sign a contract

 

[bulldogruss]

Does anyone have an idea by when we will hear something, with pre season already begun surely Hunt would have to be swift now to sign a contract

He was on rep duty with the Kangaroos so won’t start with any club till mid December

 

[Dogs4eva13]

Can he play prop?

 

[CBDog]

He got out 2 days ago. Hasn't he called you yet?

He cant call. Phone is dead.
Off to see his mate the charger dealer

 

[Phalangist]

He looks like he should be a ball carrying threat - like a nippy half back can be.
If he was - he'd be useful in that role.
But sadly - he's not a threat - yet!! . He never breaks the line.
He doesn't probe and puts someone else in the hole. This should be his bread and butter if he wants to cement a place in a premiership team.
Sure he can pass the ball out the back effectively ... (but so what?? - if you can't do that as an NRL player - my question is WHY NOT?? - you are a professional - upskill for fuck's sake - you have enough time on your hands - that is your JOB!!!)
Hayward has great stats with regards to low error counts & he defends tirelessly. In short his effort areas are 100% what we want!
But & it's a BIG BUT - his missed/ineffective tackle rate is at a higher level than almost all other forwards (including Mahoney).
As much as I love his "Dogs DNA and his effort" ....if we're serious about assembling a premiership winning team - all players have to meet certain KPI's for their positions & sadly Hayward has not satisfied that criteria (yet). Let's hope he can lift his game to yet another level in 2025 and be the player we all want him to be.

I personally think both Mann and Hayward are keeping the spot warm for Karl olapu anyway.
Mann was outstanding last year but Karl is the future.