Broncos Bombshell: Hunt’s Shock Switch Sparks Spine Shake-Up as Maguire Eyes Radical Rebuild

Brisbane Broncos legend and club director Darren Lockyer has hinted that Ben Hunt’s mid-game shift to hooker during the recent loss to the Warriors could be a preview of things to come as the club grapples with its spine conundrum. The Broncos have now suffered back-to-back defeats, and Hunt’s switch from five-eighth to hooker in the second half signaled a tactical change aimed at reigniting their spluttering attack.

Lockyer, speaking on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER, noted that Hunt, a seasoned halfback by trade, has shown versatility throughout his career—particularly with his performances at hooker for Queensland in State of Origin. While Hunt wasn’t at his best in the wet conditions in Auckland, Lockyer believes his shift to dummy-half could be more than a one-off experiment.

“The conditions weren’t great for ball-playing, and I think it affected his confidence and execution,” Lockyer said. “But he’s been around long enough—we’ll get a reaction out of him.”

The move comes amidst coach Michael Maguire’s ongoing search for his strongest spine combination, especially with five-eighth Ezra Mam set to return from suspension in round 10. Lockyer questioned how Mam’s reintegration will play out, noting that while the young star might be physically fit, match sharpness takes time to regain.

Adding to the intrigue, Hunt was one of four players to feature at hooker during the game—alongside Cory Paix, Billy Walters, and Tyson Smoothy. Lockyer pointed out that despite the depth at No.9, Hunt still spent time there, suggesting Maguire might be considering a more permanent positional change.

Billy Slater, meanwhile, weighed in on his podcast, acknowledging the Broncos’ recent dip in attacking form and endorsing the decision to shake things up. “Whenever Ben Hunt’s got his hands on the footy, things can spark up pretty quick,” Slater said, praising Hunt’s impact when given license to roam.

As Brisbane attempts to steady the ship, all eyes will be on how Maguire manages his playmakers—and whether Hunt’s role evolves from short-term solution to long-term strategy.