GOOD NEWS: Brisbane Broncos recruit a $112 million starter

Hard work and mateship. They were the words from Head Coach Kevin Walters that convinced new Broncos recruit and Queenslander Jaiyden Hunt to return home to Brisbane, hungry to give it everything he’s got to make his mark at the club he grew up watching.

The 25 year old forward, who was released from the Dragons to join the Broncos in season 2024, has told media he “jumped in a heartbeat” when the opportunity arose to come home.

Dragons reward Jaiyden Hunt with top 30 deal and new contract - NRL News

“When I was younger, I wasn’t the greatest at rugby league; I played for the fun of it but it just kind of took off and it’s definitely been a dream since I got the opportunity at the Dragons, so when I got the call from Kevvie, it was an exciting one,” Hunt said.

“He said it was all about hard work and mateship here—a great club culture. I jumped in a heartbeat to come up

“They were happy with the fact that I can play in the middle and the back row, covering both positions. It was exciting to hear that.”

Hunt, a former St Thomas More College student who grew up admiring then Broncos Jahral Yow Yeh, Corey Parker and Ben Hunt, whom he’d go on to play alongside down south, also used to play alongside new teammate Billy Walters at Easts Tigers in Brisbane and older Walters brother Jack.

Having been promoted to the Dragons squad off a train and trial contract initially, he’s again ready to fight for a bench position in ’24, arriving in Brisbane with a reputation of being a hard worker.

“Coming through, I was never in the Queensland sides, the up-and-coming sides; I’ve always had to fight; the whole way through, I’m just used to it, I guess.

“The bench spots are up for grabs for anyone and I’m willing to jump up and grab them.