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Hunt aiming long-term with NRL comeback

3 minute read

Nearing his first NRL appearance in almost 12 years, Karmichael Hunt has made it clear he views his Brisbane comeback as more than a one-game experience.

KARMICHAEL HUNT. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Karmichael Hunt is back in the NRL and the code-hopping star is confident he can prove to be a long-term asset for Brisbane.

The former Broncos, Queensland and Australian fullback will partner Albert Kelly in the halves for Saturday's clash with Canberra in his first professional rugby league game since 2009.

The 34-year-old signed with Queensland Cup team Souths Logan earlier this year and says the aim was always to make it back to first grade.

That goal ticked off, Hunt is eager to prove he still has plenty to offer the Broncos.

"It's never just for one game. It's never just for a moment," he said.

"I felt like I belong at this level and I to want to be at this level.

"I feel like I've got some good years left."

After debuting for the Broncos as a 17-year-old, Hunt went on to enjoy careers in the AFL and rugby union following his departure from rugby league over a decade ago.

Kelly and Hunt are the seventh, and the least likely, halves pairing for the Broncos this season as coach Kevin Walters continues to search for answers following a 3-10 start to the campaign.

Having left Red Hill as a 23-year-old, Hunt admitted he was still coming to terms with being the old stager of the Broncos with teammates such as TC Robati revealing he'd been their boyhood hero in his previous NRL career.

"Just hearing some of the years these guys were born makes me feel old enough," Hunt said.

"For me to be able to run out there at the age I am, at the age they are and the stage they are in their career, it's a huge privilege.

"It's something that I've cherished, the opportunity to come back and to give my knowledge back to these guys.

"But now to be able to step foot out there and try and be a leader out there for them? It's a privilege that I'm just entirely grateful for."