Bronco blueprint to end 3268-day drought in Melbourne
The 35-year-old veteran, now hooker, played halfback the last time the Broncos tasted success in Melbourne in a 26-16 win on August 26, 2016, in a side that contained club stalwarts Darius Boyd, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday and Corey Oates.
Hunt is the only surviving member of that team and will start at No.9 on Thursday night when the Broncos play the Storm at AAMI Park.
The AAP report from the 2016 win, an incredible 3268 days ago, said the Broncos attack "clicked into gear from the outset, showing sublime ball-handling skills to stun the home side twice in early stages".
"Melbourne looked more energetic after the break but could not wear down Brisbane's defence," the report said.
It sounds simple, but rugby league essentially is a simple game. The template for success is clear.
Hunt was also on deck in 2015 for a 14-12 win at AAMI Park when the Broncos conjured another victory based on steely defence.
In that performance each Broncos player from 1-17 played a part, before bench hooker Matt Parcell made a try-saving tackle on Storm forward Felise Kaufusi in the final minute with a one-on-one ball-and-all tackle.
After both wins the reports that followed referred to the "brick wall Broncos" in defence.
Hunt, speaking after Brisbane's 60-14 win over South Sydney, said a similar mindset would be required from the current side.
"That's probably how we are going to have to win again," Hunt said.
"If we go down there, they are a great attacking side, so if you want to beat them, you have to defend well.
Watch all the highlights as the Broncos take on the Rabbitohs in Round 22! 🎥 pic.twitter.com/xTFVzJip0n
— NRL (@NRL) August 1, 2025
"We will have to take their key players out of the game, make it a low-scoring game and play high-percentage footy.
"We need to grow on what we did against Souths. We have to improve on playing the long game and play the high-percentage stuff."
Hunt knows from experience that AAMI Park is a tough place to win at any time and will be a true test of the sixth-placed Brisbane's premiership hopes.
"They protect their home ground and you have to be at your best to win down there, so we have to be better again than we were (against Souths)," he said.
"It will be a great test for us to see where we are at in the competition.
"They are humming. It's going to be good for us. I'm looking forward to seeing where we are at."
Hunt had his best game against the Rabbitohs in his new role at hooker, and his combination with fellow spine members Reece Walsh, Ezra Mam and Adam Reynolds was slick.
"It was a big step forward," Hunt said.
"There's still a lot of things we can improve on, but it was definitely a step in the right direction."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Roosters star turns on NRL after teammate banned under mid-season rule change
Roosters star Connor Watson has hit out at the NRL's decision to change the criteria for the rookie of the year award, which has seen Mark Nawaqanitawase banned from winning it. Cross-code star Nawaqanitawase was among the leading contenders for the award, which recognises the best first-year player in the NRL. But league bosses made the decision to block Nawaqanitawase from winning the gong as they felt the situation would have been unfair to some other 'traditional' rookies. The outside back played 58 games for the NSW Waratahs and 11 Test matches for the Wallabies before switching codes to the NRL last year. He's technically a rookie because he never played NRL before, but league bosses feel he doesn't really fit the criteria due to his experience in rugby union. Last week the Australian Rugby League Commission made a subtle tweak to its rules to prevent Nawaqanitawase winning the award. Under the new rule, players who have played five or more professional matches in another sporting code are now ineligible for the Dally M Rookie of the Year. The codes in question will be determined by the NRL on a case-by-case basis, but Nawaqanitawase's rugby background rules him out. It leaves Roosters teammate Robert Toia, Warriors forward Leka Halasima and Parramatta fullback Isaiah Iongi as the leading candidates for the gong. But according to Watson, the NRL's change is completely unfair on Nawaqanitawase. Watson took particular exception to the fact the rule has been changed mid-season. "Mark would probably be the favourite to win it," Watson said at the launch of the NRL's Indigenous Round on Tuesday. "So I feel like it's hard to make that call halfway through the year when he's played so well. If you're going to make a decision like that, you probably do it at the start of the year." NRL boss defends rookie of the year change But NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the mid-season change was "really simple". Abdo declared: "The (ARL) Commission has made a policy change decision around the eligibility for rookie of the year, and I think it's contemporary. (The rule) hasn't been looked at for a while. The decision was really simple. It is meant for genuine rookies, so players that are coming through pathways systems, and not for players that have got significant experience, even if it's in other sports." Nawaqanitawase has 13 tries on the season heading into Round 22, putting him equal-fifth overall. Only Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (17), Tyrell Sloan (15), Xavier Coates (14) and Philip Sami (14) have more, while Daniel Tupou and Tolutau Koula also have 13. RELATED: Stunning news about Latrell Mitchell as Bennett axing divides NRL hits Wests Tigers player with fine over 'offensive' gesture The 24-year-old Nawaqanitawase was even floated as an option to make his State of Origin debut for NSW before the start of the series. According to Watson, he's made a bigger impression off the field as on it. "That's probably been the best part of having him in the team," Watson said. "His energy every day and the positivity that he has around the group is good because sometimes when your season is inconsistent as it has been this year, everyone can get a bit down in the dumps. Mark comes in with a smile on his face every day and lifts the boys up." with AAP
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Geelong coach clips Collingwood rival as press conference act raises eyebrows
Chris Scott has questioned the actions of Collingwood counterpart Craig McRae after the Magpies coach went public about a recent meeting he had with Carlton star Jack Silvagni. The Silvagni name is synonymous is Carlton, with his father Stephen and grandfather Sergio both both greats of the AFL club, but Jack's time at the Blues could be coming to an end, with reports Collingwood have tabled him a four-year contract. McRae has made no secret of his interest in Silvagni after admitting that he'd already had a promising 'first date' with the Blues player. That caused Carlton coach Michael Voss to hit back at his Collingwood rival and criticise him for 'outing' their player as a target for the Magpies, before the player had a chance to speak about it first. 'Regardless of what Craig did, it's not something we would do. We will respect the privacy of the player,' Voss said. 'It's not for me to announce something like that on behalf of someone, because they're the ones that have to walk back into the locker room.' Speaking about the situation on Channel Seven's The Agenda Setters on Tuesday night, Geelong coach Scott said he agreed with Voss' stance on the Silvagni situation. The Cats mentor admitted it was naive to suggest clubs wouldn't expect some of their players to meet with rivals, but said it should be kept behind closed doors and not made public - like McRae did. "I don't think it (coaches meeting with contracted players) is something that clubs should be promoting necessarily."🗣️ Chris Scott after Craig McRae was asked about meeting with Jack Silvagni — 7AFL (@7AFL) August 5, 2025 "I think most people in the footy industry know that players, especially with free agency coming in, they really have an obligation to do their research," he said on Seven's The Agenda Setters. "It's not clubs chasing players... I don't think it's the clubs preying on these players." Scott said it was unrealistic to expect players to wait until October to speak to clubs about their future, giving them 'two weeks notice' when the trade window or free agency window was open. But in response to McRae's light-hearted remarks about his meeting with Silvagni, the Geelong coach insisted it was 'not something clubs should be promoting'. "There's a reality it's happening but to talk about it I think is something the media wants and the fans might like but... I think Vossy's point is really well made," he continued. "It's not up to the prospective club to out that player, knowing full well that player's got to walk back into the locker room and front his teammates and coach." RELATED: Luke Hodge makes huge claim about Max Gawn after coach sacking Abbey Holmes responds amid backlash over decision post-birth Eagles face decision as Victorian club 'not prepared' to pay Harley Reid Jack Silvagni reportedly edging closer to Carlton exit But Scott conceded that he'd be 'staggered if Carlton weren't aware that Silvagni was assessing his options'. Details emerged last month that Collingwood were exploring the potential signing of Silvagni, who is an unrestricted free agent if he doesn't re-sign with Carlton. The 27-year-old defender could be the perfect replacement for veteran premiership hero Jeremy Howe, with reports suggesting the Pies' four-year deal is similar to the mid-$600,000 per season offer on the table at Carlton. And AFL reporter Sam McLure told Nine's Footy Classified last month he'd be 'very surprised' if Silvagni was still at Carlton next year. 'The interesting thing here though, is that if he was to leave Carlton and play for Collingwood next year, it wouldn't be about the money," McLure said. "It paints a reasonably dark picture about, I guess, the frustrations in the playing group at Carlton right now."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Luke Hodge makes staggering claim about Max Gawn after Simon Goodwin's sacking
AFL champion Luke Hodge has made the stunning claim that Simon Goodwin's sacking could open the door for Max Gawn to leave the Melbourne Demons as well. Gawn and Goodwin have a close relationship, and won the flag together in 2021. But Goodwin's time at the Demons is officially over, after the coach was sacked after nine seasons on Tuesday. Discussing the situation on SEN radio, Hawthorn legend Hodge dropped a bombshell about what it could potentially mean for Gawn's future. The skipper has played 244 games for the Dees since debuting in 2010, and never worn any other colours. But Hodge questioned what might occur should he not gel with the new coach. 'From the outside he will be a broken man because of the time and effort he has put into what has been created,' Hodge said. 'From afar their relationship looked a strong coach-captain relationship. There's going to be murmurs and tough conversations and his mindset now will be 'am I going to have a relationship with the next coach coming in, will I be able to lead as I am'? 'This is the hardest thing for an existing captain going from one coach to a new person that could turn the club upside down, and as a skipper you don't know where you stand. When did (Jack) Silvagni contemplate going to Collingwood? When the door was ajar and Collingwood said we might have a contract. 'Is this a door opening for Max Gawn? He would have had no thought of ever leaving Melbourne. They guided him as a young fella into this absolute star of our game. With a new coach coming in, is this his time to say, 'is there a premiership somewhere else for me to go and play?'. It won't be an easy decision for him, but he has to talk to the club who will want to keep him.' The former Hawks captain said Gawn won't be the only Demons player affected. 'The new coach coming in might have other thoughts or want to develop a different system," he said. 'When you lose a coach, everyone on that list will be wondering what it means for them and their career moving forward? For younger players is an opportunity for the older players you wonder if you're in their plans.' Garry Lyon's warning for next Melbourne Demons coach John Longmire and Adam Simpson are being touted as the leading candidates to take over as Demons coach, with the former Swans and Eagles coaches boasting plenty of experience. Nathan Buckley and Ken Hinkley could also be options, while there's a plethora of good assistants floating around. RELATED: Abbey Holmes responds amid backlash over decision post-birth Eagles face decision as Victorian club 'not prepared' to pay Harley Reid Speaking on SEN on Wednesday morning, Demons great Garry Lyon offered a word of warning to Longmire and the likes. 'I would say if you are serious about wanting to get back into footy then there's great opportunity at the football club," he said. 'But I'd also be very strong in my questioning of the off-field stability of the club and where that sits. President-elect Steven Smith would be the first man I'd want to hear from, and Paul Guerra. It's hard to get a handle on him because he hasn't started yet. 'They're the issues that any incoming coach would want to have a look at and then you start to put your mind to the playing list and questions about facilities. All those sorts of things come in to it. There's opportunity there for any coach.'
