Broncos great delivers brutal Ben Hunt verdict

Ben Hunt’s current performances are leading to big conversations about his playing future.

Hunt signed a new contract with the Broncos earlier this year, which means the 36-year-old will go into the 2027 campaign with the club.

The utility man has been a great servant to the Broncos over the years, but is just not the same player he once was.

This was evidenced by his latest display in the loss at the North Queensland Cowboys.

Hunt looked laboured, off the pace, and produced a wild interception pass when the Broncos were camped on the Cowboys’ line.

This incident and more led to the Broncos fans airing criticism after the match at the club’s decision to give Hunt another season.

Broncos great delivers brutal Ben Hunt verdict

Now Broncos great Corey Parker has also joined the chorus calling for Hunt to retire before he starts to tarnish his legacy.

“I want to go down the path with Ben Hunt and whether he should be playing on or calling time,” Parker wrote in a column for SEN.

“My concern is this: Ben is a great friend of mine, he’s been a wonderful teammate, and I’ve loved every moment I’ve played with him. I am just concerned about the legacy that he leaves.

“We all know Ben, and we all love Ben. You go back to the Origin, the winning moment at Suncorp Stadium. An unbelievable moment at Suncorp Stadium, and he’s had many throughout his career.

“So I would hate to see the last six weeks of the competition this season, if things don’t go to plan, and he leaves the game with a sour taste in people’s mouths.

“People have really short memories; they don’t remember what you did for the first 18 years that you played in. They just remember the last 12 months, and it’s not fair.

“Ben still has an opportunity, if he would like to, to walk away and retire this year. It pains me to say it, and I say it so respectfully, but we’re in the job where we need to have an opinion, and we need to say what we feel.

“I just would hate to see his legacy as a player, as a person, be tarnished because of that slippery slope that Father Time can provide.”