Benny Hunt

[ism22]

> Mam failed a roadside drug test and Queensland police contend he was driving unlicensed during the head-on collision with an Uber driver in Brisbane on October 18. Mam has not been charged.

Meanwhile Sandon was sober, licensed and edging out of his carpark because a stupid truck was blocking the way. Some pedestrian was walking his dog on the road and 2 cars came screaming down, one crashing into Sandon... pushing him onto the pedestrian's foot.

Boom. Charged right away, here's your court date brother. No chance of the cops saying 'mate sorry about your foot but he's licensed, insured and was edging out at a slow speed [you shoulda been looking too!!!!]... it's bad luck. I can't really charge him with anything but I suggest you take all their details down and contact your insurance company as it should be covered'.

Mam? It's kinda academic whether his 2nd sample comes back dirty as he was driving without a license and had a head-on collision (probable reckless / negligent driving as he was possibly not on the correct side of the road at the time of the accident). Arrest him right a way, charge him with unlicensed driving + reckless/negligent driving (also charge him with failing a roadside test - can drop that later if his second sample's clean) and oh... no license means no insurance... AY! Call your insurance company and get their lawyers to give Mam + Broncos HQ a call. This was a traumatic experience, my car's gone, I've lost business as an Uber driver and oh no... ow me back! Gonna get myself checked out for whiplash.

Oh but what about the (minimal) impact this will have on the Broncos? Well... I heard that Hayne and Mortimer are available if you need help replacing Mam and Walsh

[King Salvo]

Does that mean Mam will be gone for the year?

Surely you can't give financial aid to a team to allow them to sign a Kangaroos player just for Mam to return mid or even late in the season.

No report of the result of the second drug test, and the wheels of justice are slow moving, so anyone's guess when the case goes to court and how long it will take to be concluded. One assumes Mam would be subject to the NRL's No-Fault Stand Down Policy until the matter is resolved.

There will probably be some sort of compromise that the Bronco's could sign another player using this 800k of Mam's, and if Mam can return to play, he can only play Queensland Cup, not NRL in 2025.

[Qld Chook]

The Broncos will be applying for dispensation for Mam who will be stood down by the NRL for some period of time pending his court case and outcome of the court case - They could well have the money to sign Hunt. - The Dragons received dispensation for De Belin for the period he was stood down by the NRL.

Does that mean Mam will be gone for the year?

Surely you can't give financial aid to a team to allow them to sign a Kangaroos player just for Mam to return mid or even late in the season.

[Qld Chook]

Be interesting what the NRL determines his contract value is as reportedly was on 950k at the Dragons - Hard to see the NRL allowing clubs to sign him for 600k as the Salary Cap Auditor can value his contract at 950k for salary cap purposes irrespective of what clubs pay him.

Reported that the Bulldogs , Dolphins , Roosters and Bronco's are interested in his services - not sure how the Bronco's could afford him unless they punt Mam. Bulldogs punted Addo-Carr who was on 500k but are also interested in May who would command around the same 500k

My understanding is yes the NRL needs to sign off on it to ensure he doesn't take massive unders but if it is a multi year deal on a lower value, it can be accepted (within reason). Also, if the club is smart they won't sign him until January, after his 8 week mandated break after rep duties. This way you can sign him for $660K, which actually equates to $800K / year (because the contract period starts November) which imo could be considered reasonable.

[King Salvo]

The Broncos will be applying for dispensation for Mam who will be stood down by the NRL for some period of time pending his court case and outcome of the court case - They could well have the money to sign Hunt. - The Dragons received dispensation for De Belin for the period he was stood down by the NRL.

[ism22]

The incident happened in March, I imagine the worst part is waiting for your case to be heard.

Yeah I don't wanna get too personal but when I was charged with common assault, the wait was a really rough time. I knew I'd done nothing but my lawyer basically said 'well mate she reported it immediately and an assault is somebody feeling scared so they don't need to prove you hit her... immediately reporting that you feel scared paired with evidence there was an argument where a male has raised their voice is generally enough to pin you!'

I hadn't raised my voice (despite being shouted at, gaslit and whacked over the head for at least 2 hours) but the courts didn't know that (they need to test such claims thoroughly for good reason rather than just taking your word for it) and a conviction (even a 'no conviction recorded' - which is still a declarable finding of guilt) can have major ramifications. 'Friends' started dodging me once they knew what was going on... people doubt you once you've been charged with something serious. Like what 'really' happened? Cops wouldn't have gotten involved for no reason...etc.

Not looking for sympathy (the correct decision was made in my case and I've moved on) but ~9 months of waiting for your day in court is a traumatic experience in itself. Having worked in prisons... it's the people who'd been given long sentences (e.g. life for murder) who were generally quite calm as they'd made peace with their situation. The remandees were the loons who were constantly on edge, pacing around the place and prone to snapping at any moment as there was no certainty and they just had to wait. Not saying I feel sorry for them (many were facing compelling charges relating to messed up homicides + paedophilia and stuff where there was no real defence available) but it's pretty wild what the waiting can do to people.

[Chook2]

Idk man. Lot of people writing us off, but it’s unclear how good these younger players are gonna be, and who we might sign as well. Let me provide a hypothetical which is far from unrealistic: Rob Toia develops into a wrecking ball centre. Sandon Smith is not necessarily a downgrade on Keary the way Keary was playing at the end. Wong and Steep develop into powerful and elusive middle forwards. The Vaa brothers destroy all forwards. Townsend while uninspiring manages to steer the team to a positive record once Walker returns.

Also the rest of the comp was so far behind us we were generally 20 points in front without defending properly so I can’t see us falling that far back
especially when all 5 players leaving none of them were in our top 5-10 players in 2024 anyway
Keary was gone
jwh wasn’t on the field
Manu zoned out
suaali was poor until the last 6 weeks
sitili wasn’t in the 17 half the season

[Bates]

Idk man. Lot of people writing us off, but it’s unclear how good these younger players are gonna be, and who we might sign as well. Let me provide a hypothetical which is far from unrealistic: Rob Toia develops into a wrecking ball centre. Sandon Smith is not necessarily a downgrade on Keary the way Keary was playing at the end. Wong and Steep develop into powerful and elusive middle forwards. The Vaa brothers destroy all forwards. Townsend while uninspiring manages to steer the team to a positive record once Walker returns.

I'm glad we're refreshing the squad and happy that JWH and Kez have retired. Manu was also underperforming and his output wasn't that of a $800k a year player.

Only Gus Gould believed that the Panthers pathway system would eventually bring an incredible run of success. We need to be patient and believe in the young players coming through!

It would've been nice to have Sammy and The Cheese ready to go for round 1 but you gotta roll with the punches. Missing the footy big time and can't wait for next season!

[Crab]

Idk man. Lot of people writing us off, but it’s unclear how good these younger players are gonna be, and who we might sign as well. Let me provide a hypothetical which is far from unrealistic: Rob Toia develops into a wrecking ball centre. Sandon Smith is not necessarily a downgrade on Keary the way Keary was playing at the end. Wong and Steep develop into powerful and elusive middle forwards. The Vaa brothers destroy all forwards. Townsend while uninspiring manages to steer the team to a positive record once Walker returns.

I like your positivity and thought process Flaming Rooster.! I hope you're right !

[Steggles]

Idk man. Lot of people writing us off, but it’s unclear how good these younger players are gonna be, and who we might sign as well. Let me provide a hypothetical which is far from unrealistic: Rob Toia develops into a wrecking ball centre. Sandon Smith is not necessarily a downgrade on Keary the way Keary was playing at the end. Wong and Steep develop into powerful and elusive middle forwards. The Vaa brothers destroy all forwards. Townsend while uninspiring manages to steer the team to a positive record once Walker returns.

You could be right, but these young guns need to get more game time in firsts to develop.

[ChookMaster]

Idk man. Lot of people writing us off, but it’s unclear how good these younger players are gonna be, and who we might sign as well. Let me provide a hypothetical which is far from unrealistic: Rob Toia develops into a wrecking ball centre. Sandon Smith is not necessarily a downgrade on Keary the way Keary was playing at the end. Wong and Steep develop into powerful and elusive middle forwards. The Vaa brothers destroy all forwards. Townsend while uninspiring manages to steer the team to a positive record once Walker returns.

Footy just works this easy right…..

[FlamingRooster]

At present I think Dogs are closer to a premiership in the next two season compared to us.
We are in a rebuilding stage and probably be in contention for a premiership in three to five years.

Idk man. Lot of people writing us off, but it’s unclear how good these younger players are gonna be, and who we might sign as well. Let me provide a hypothetical which is far from unrealistic: Rob Toia develops into a wrecking ball centre. Sandon Smith is not necessarily a downgrade on Keary the way Keary was playing at the end. Wong and Steep develop into powerful and elusive middle forwards. The Vaa brothers destroy all forwards. Townsend while uninspiring manages to steer the team to a positive record once Walker returns.

[Kentucky_Fried_Rooster]

He did hint on the 9 news he is open to staying in Sydney and the premiership goal is his key before he retires
so that would put us above the dogs, broncs and phins

At present I think Dogs are closer to a premiership in the next two season compared to us.
We are in a rebuilding stage and probably be in contention for a premiership in three to five years.

[King Salvo]

He did hint on the 9 news he is open to staying in Sydney and the premiership goal is his key before he retires
so that would put us above the dogs, broncs and phins

Seemed keen on the Broncos to me and said something about being involved with them when he was 12 and how they looked after him etc - Has purchased a 2.7 mill property in Bangalow Northern NSW - 1 hr from the Gold Coast and 2hrs from Brisbane - which may or may not mean anything

[Chook2]

For what it’s worth, Ben Hunt to Roosters for two years is my mail. If it’s true, hope he plays some hooker as well as in halves.

He did hint on the 9 news he is open to staying in Sydney and the premiership goal is his key before he retires
so that would put us above the dogs, broncs and phins