As he always does, veteran half Ben Hunt fronted up to answer questions on all the pressing issues, including his one-year extension and commentary around it, alleged ructions in the camp with coach Michael Maguire, and the second disciplinary breach by winger Josiah Karapani.Â
Karapani's drink-driving charge on Sunday morning, along with other traffic offences, led to him being dropped for Saturday's home clash with Cronulla, with the club in the midst of an injury crisis and sitting 13th with a seven-game losing streak. The 24-year-old was dropped earlier in the season after a public nuisance offence.
"He knows he's in the wrong and he also knows it's the second time he's made that mistake," said Hunt, who is in the club's leadership group that was consulted about the punishment.
"You can't keep making those mistakes or you are going to find your way out of this club pretty quickly. He definitely knows where he stands and, as a leadership group, we're happy to move on."
Hunt said there was an element of Karapani betraying the trust placed in him, but that he was "a great fella" at heart.
"We've all been young kids before, so we'll get around him, look after him and he'll find his way back," he said.
Hunt, 36, inked a one-year extension that his former Broncos teammate Corey Parker was critical of the club for pursuing, given his age and form.
The 2025 title winner said critics were entitled to their opinions, but that he was excited to go around again after being approached by Maguire.
"'Madge' came to me and asked if I was interested in going around again, and as soon as he asked it was a no-brainer," Hunt said.
"I'm still feeling good, enjoying my footy, I love this club and I want to be here.
"I still feel like I can contribute, whether that's at halfback, on the bench or in the squad helping out young guys."
Pundits in the media have been vocal about players not wanting to re-sign under Maguire because of his methods, but Hunt said it was not an issue.
"I re-signed assuming Madge would be the coach," he said.
"For me, it's the directness. He always tells me where I stand. There's no grey area, and I've always loved that about a coach."
Hunt's old-school view was shared by 22-year-old five-eighth Tom Duffy, who outlined the same reasoning for why he recently inked an extension.
Hunt said it was a huge boost to get winger Deine Mariner back for the Sharks clash after his recovery from six surgeries that saved his right leg.
The Broncos showed they mean business at Wednesday's training. Second-rower Jordan Riki smashed prop Ben Talty, and stand-in captain Kotoni Staggs was belting all and sundry.
"There was a fair bit of heat going on, but it's good tension," Hunt said.
"The boys are working hard and training hard."
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