Broncos out but NRL bid team Brisbane Bombers keen to lure Karmichael Hunt back to NRL
THE Broncos say they have no plans to lure Karmichael Hunt home as prospective NRL rivals the Brisbane Bombers attempt to bring the AFL convert back to rugby league.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal Brisbane NRL bid delegate Bill Rae has sounded out Hunt's management to gauge the possibility of him quitting the Suns to represent
the Bombers should they win admission to the NRL in 2013.
But the Suns are prepared to up the ante, with football manager Marcus Ashcroft saying last night he wants Hunt to extend his tenure with the fledgling AFL club.
Hunt's $1 million a year Suns contract ends at the end of 2012 and he has impressed many AFL judges with the speed of his transition. But the prevailing sentiment in league circles is that he would eventually return to the sport that made him a household name.
The NRL's hopes of reclaiming Hunt are aided by the imminent broadcasting deal, which could see the game's marquee stars earn up to $1 million a season in 2013 under a salary cap tipped to rise to $7 million.
Hunt played 125 games for the Broncos, but a return to Red Hill now seems remote as the club invests in backline stars headlined by
Josh Hoffman and
Gerard Beale.
"K (Hunt) will always be a Bronco and he has many friends here. But the fact is, Karmichael Hunt coming back to rugby league in the short term is a completely unrealistic outcome," Broncos operations chief Andrew Gee said yesterday.
"Karmichael was a part of our club for a very long time and we know when he sets himself a challenge he will not stop until he has proven himself a success.
"Karmichael has chosen that path (AFL) now. How could any league club compete with the money he attracts there?
"Our club is in a very solid position and we have a great bunch of players on our roster that we plan to be the core of our group for the long term."
Rae confirmed last night he had spoken informally to Hunt's manager David Riolo about the former Queensland Origin custodian returning to rugby league.
The Central Coast bid team named Hunt in April as a priority signing.
"Karmichael is a league player at heart and it would be great to get him back to the game. It would be great for the Bombers and the NRL," Rae said.
"I've met with David Riolo, obviously we can't offer anything until if and when we get an NRL licence but he is aware of our thoughts.
"It would be great for Queensland rugby league to see him back in the game."
Riolo said: "In regards to the second Brisbane team, until they actually exist and have a licence to play in the NRL, it's hypothetical, it's not even a consideration.
"I know people want to know what K wants to do, but at the moment he has 18 months to run on his AFL contract and let's work through that."
Ashcroft said the Suns are rapt with Hunt and want him on board beyond next season.
"He's played 12 out of a possible 15 games, which is an extraordinary effort in his first year of AFL," he said.
"We hope that Karmichael has enjoyed his experience and the culture of our football club. Hopefully by the end of 2012 our club is pushing up the ladder and challenging for finals.
"We'd love to keep him here as long as we can. We think he has a real chance to make a name for himself in the AFL and we don't want to lose him."
