Sad tragedy: broncos Hunt seriously getting down the pecking order as sudden NRL snake shows up after drastic predicament” Ben Hunt has acknowledged that his current form isn’t up to his own standards and says he must step up, particularly in his running game with the Broncos. His comments follow criticism from Maroons coach Billy Slater, who believes Brisbane has yet to find the…

Sad tragedy: broncos Hunt seriously getting down the pecking order as sudden NRL snake shows up after drastic predicament” Ben Hunt has acknowledged that his current form isn’t up to his own standards and says he must step up, particularly in his running game with the Broncos. His comments follow criticism from Maroons coach Billy Slater, who believes Brisbane has yet to find the…

Ben Hunt has acknowledged that his current form isn’t up to his own standards and says he must step up, particularly in his running game with the Broncos. His comments follow criticism from Maroons coach Billy Slater, who believes Brisbane has yet to find the right balance between flair in attack and toughness in defence. Slater also hinted that the style of play under coach Michael Maguire might not be ideal for some players.

The Broncos’ patchy performance this season was highlighted by a surprise defeat to the struggling Eels last week. Now, with their top-four hopes hanging in the balance, Brisbane will be eager to bounce back in Friday night’s clash against the also-struggling Rabbitohs at

The veteran playmaker started the season at five-eighth but Ezra Mam’s return from suspension saw him reclaim the No.6 jersey. And after spending two months sidelined with a hamstring injury, Hunt has shifted into the No.9 role but has struggled to replicate the sort of form at hooker that he’s shown at Origin level for the Maroons in the past.

Hunt’s two games in the No.9 jersey have been underwhelming by his high standards, with the 35-year-old only having three runs against the Eels for 15m and no runs against the Titans. And the veteran admits it’s an area he has to improve in order to give the Broncos an added dimension and help sharpen up their attack.

“That’s definitely something I’ve got to bring into my game the next few weeks,” Hunt said. “Now I am back and have got a bit of match fitness and am into the swing of things, I have got to contribute a lot more with the ball. That definitely involves me running out of dummy-half.

“The good (hookers) are doing that. They get half a sniff, guys like Blayke Brailey at the moment, and they are off and running. I’ve got to start doing that.” Hunt has shown what he’s capable of playing hooker for Queensland and Australia but before this season he’d only started 15 NRL games in the No.9 role.