Heading into history: Hunt’s long road to a hometown premiership
Ten years after his electric emergence in 2015, Ben Hunt finally reached the peak he had chased for a lifetime. The Broncos’ premiership drought ended in a night that felt written by fans and fate alike. Hunt, the oldest player in the league and a symbol of the club’s enduring spirit, stepped onto Lang Park’s turf with a mix of relief, relief, and resolve. This wasn’t just a win for a club; it was a personal vindication for a man who had carried the torch for Brisbane rugby league through thick and thin.
A generation’s hero and a veteran’s victory lap
Reece Walsh personifies the Broncos’ TikTok-era swagger, yet Hunt’s achievement anchors the club in a story that spans generations. Walsh’s youthful pace and showmanship—the eye-catching nails and piercing gaze—are part of the modern Broncos package. But Hunt represents the other side of the bridge: a 350-game veteran who knows what it takes to win the big one and who has endured sleepless nights and scrutinising headlines in pursuit of this exact moment.
From heartbreak to triumph: the 2015 echo and the 2023/24 vindication
Hunt’s journey began as a junior sensation, with whispers of a star who could light up the NRL. In 2015, he carried the weight of expectation on his shoulders, a performance that still stings the memories of Broncos fans who watched the season end without the ultimate prize. The path back to glory included personal sacrifice, comebacks, and a return to the club he loves. When the siren finally rang, Hunt’s emotions broke through the calm: “It was a long bloody three minutes. When the siren went it hit me like a tonne of bricks.”
Coaches, teammates, and the shared dream
Hunt’s return to the Broncos was more than a quarterback’s comeback; it was a testament to a tight-knit group that believed in renovation, resilience, and the right timing. Club legend Darren Lockyer recalled Hunt’s early promise and his “larrikin” personality, contrasting it with the fierce competitor who can change the course of a game. The 2023/24 grand final showcased a balance: the young talents delivering high-octane plays while the veterans, including Hunt, provided leadership when it mattered most.
Hunt’s legacy: more than a premiership, a lifelong pursuit fulfilled
For Hunt, the title is as much personal as it is collective. He noted that the win was “repayment” to the family, friends, and coaches who had stood by him. The moment also marks a historical milestone: Hunt is the most-capped first-time premiership winner, a record that underscores his enduring commitment to the Broncos and to the city he has always called home. Teammates and fans alike celebrated not just a trophy but a narrative arc that completes a century-long cycle of belief and perseverance.
Analysts’ take: blood, not gold, fuels this victory
Analysts have framed the win as a victory built on grit, preparation, and the willingness to push through pain. Reece Walsh’s angle on the breakneck speed of the Broncos’ offense sits alongside Hunt’s veteran composure, offering a blueprint for clubs aiming to blend youth with experience. The grand final is often a test of will, not just skill, and for Brisbane the test was passed with a display of resilience that will be remembered for years to come.
The celebration and the next chapter
After the final bell, and with the confetti still in the air, Hunt and fellow veteran Adam Reynolds trudged off the field as the last Broncos to leave. The victory is not a curtain call but a fresh lease on a storied dynasty. With contracts in place through 2026 and a young core still hungry for more, Brisbane’s Premiership era has a new chapter—and it begins with a hero who waited a lifetime to lift the trophy.
