A new signing cost Broncos their next big thing. Hunt believes it was worth it

1 month ago 10

The Broncos’ signing of Jonah Pezet cost them the man being groomed to spearhead their attack for the next decade, but Ben Hunt is adamant it was the best move Brisbane could make in their hunt to remain a premiership force.

Pezet will arrive at Red Hill in 2027, after a one-year stint with the Parramatta Eels, and is tipped to partner Ezra Mam in the halves when that time comes.

But his signature opened the door for rising sensation Coby Black – who had been earmarked as the heir apparent to Adam Reynolds – to be poached by the Canberra Raiders before the end of his 2026 contract.

Coby Black in action for the Maroons’ under-19s side.

The 19-year-old, who guided the Maroons to an under-19s State of Origin triumph in 2025, would have been forced to bide his time. He will instead vie with Ethan Sanders for the Raiders’ No.7 jumper this year, and learn under coach Ricky Stuart – one of the greatest halfbacks to play the game.

Hunt, who on Tuesday confirmed he was yet to rule out playing beyond 2026, revealed coach Michael Maguire informed him of the decision to sign Pezet before the move was announced – a decision he believes could prove one of the best in club history.

“I watch a lot of footy now, and since Jonah’s come in, he’s done a job down there at Melbourne. I think he’s an excellent player,” Hunt said from Brisbane’s training camp in Toowoomba.

“Madge called me before they signed him and told me the plans, and I said to him, ‘I think it’s one of the best moves the club can make’.

“You’ve got two pretty old buggers in me and Reyno who aren’t going to be around for much longer. To sign a player like Jonah that can get your footy team around the park and who kicks really well, if you can put him in there with Ezra and Reece [Walsh], it’s a no-brainer.

However, Broncos enforcer Ben Talty was adamant Pezet possessed the fortitude to ensure the side would remain successful beyond the retirements of Hunt and Reynolds.

Talty and Pezet both grew up in Newcastle, and the pair crossed paths again last preseason at the Storm. That time was enough to convince Talty the rising star was ready to handle the expectations.

“He’s a great kid, Jonah, and he’s going to do really well this year, and then when he comes to this club, he’s going to be awesome to have,” Talty told this masthead.

“It’s his time now. When I trained down with him, he’s very slick with the ball, he plays very direct – he’s got all the qualities you want in a good halfback.

“Everything he does, he’s very professional, so he’s ready to make this step up.”

Whether Pezet assumes the halfback duties will remain up in the air until Hunt and Reynolds make definitive calls on their futures.

Neither will be pushed into retirement at the end of their 2026 contracts, it seems, with Maguire suggesting “it’s not up to me, that’ll be up to their bodies, I imagine”.

Ben Hunt claimed the first premiership of his career with the Broncos in 2025.

Hunt is set to make the move to hooker in 2026, beginning with the World Club Challenge against Hull KR on February 20 – a clash that will not include edge forward Brendan Piakura, who has been sidelined for eight weeks after suffering a meniscus tear at training.

The veteran has worn the No.9 jersey for Queensland in State of Origin, and insisted he would not turn down a call from Maroons coach Billy Slater in a bid to prolong his NRL career.

“I’ll always put my hand up, unless I believe I’m not up to the standard, and I think if I’m not up to the standard then Billy is definitely not calling me,” Hunt said.

“As long as I’m playing good footy and Bill’s got belief in me, I’ll always play. If I still feel like I’m playing well and my body’s all right, then I’ll want to play on.”

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