Brisbane Broncos newcomer Jaiyden Hunt faces an anxious wait for scans on an ankle injury to determine the extent of his absence from the field.
Hunt, who transitioned from the St George Illawarra Dragons during the offseason, was a potential contender for a spot on the Broncos’ bench given the team’s significant departures since the conclusion of the 2023 season. However, his hopes of being fit for the season opener are now doubtful after being assisted off the field by teammates and medical staff during a training session on Wednesday.
As of now, the Broncos have not provided an official statement or update regarding the 25-year-old’s condition. Hunt, capable of playing on the edge or in the middle, was expected to enhance the team’s versatility following the departure of Keenan Palasia, who could fulfill both roles off the bench under Kevin Walters in 2023.
In addition to Palasia, the Broncos have also lost Kurt Capewell to the New Zealand Warriors and Thomas Flegler to the Dolphins from their forward pack, compared to the squad that reached the 2023 grand final.
Hunt has appeared in only 14 NRL games thus far, facing challenges in securing a permanent position in the Dragons’ lineup after debuting for the club through a train and trial contract in the 2021 season. However, he enjoyed his most productive season last year with seven appearances, and he aims to leverage a fresh start to establish himself in a prominent NRL role after demonstrating promise in reserve grade matches throughout his career.
On a brighter note for the Broncos, Adam Reynolds has resumed full training following an ankle injury sustained last week. Initially, there were concerns that the veteran halfback might miss the start of the season, but scans revealed only a sprain. After a week of rest, he is now focused on regaining fitness ahead of the season. However, he is expected to sit out both trial matches against the Cowboys and Sea Eagles before the Broncos kick off their season against the Sydney Roosters in Las Vegas.
