Brisbane Broncos veteran Ben Hunt has responded strongly to calls for his retirement amid speculation about the club’s willingness to offer him a new contract for the upcoming season. The 36-year-old playmaker, who has played 365 games at the top level, remains off-contract and has recently expressed his intention to continue playing. However, his form slump, coinciding with Brisbane’s six consecutive losses that have pushed the team into the NRL bottom four, has intensified scrutiny over his future.

Former Broncos teammate and club legend Corey Parker publicly advised Hunt to consider retiring at the end of the current season. Parker, an ex-Queensland Origin lock, praised Hunt’s career achievements but cautioned against extending his playing days into his 37th year, arguing that he had to confront similar realities when he retired from the Broncos in 2016. Parker’s viewpoint reflects concerns among some within the rugby league community that Hunt’s on-field performance may be declining.

In response, Hunt dismissed the retirement calls and questioned the credibility of his critics. Speaking on 4BC radio, he acknowledged Parker’s repeated comments but downplayed their impact. Hunt emphasized that while he respects Parker’s opinion, outsiders often lack insight into the internal dynamics and decisions within the club. “I am used to all this stuff with ex-players having their opinions on what should be going on in and out of clubs. They probably don’t know what is going on inside clubs because they aren’t in there, but they are entitled to their opinions,” Hunt said.

Hunt also addressed the ongoing critiques regarding his recent performances, noting that such criticism affected him more earlier in his career but has since become part of the professional landscape. “It used to (bother me) when I was a younger player, but you end up getting used to it. If you can’t turn your back to it, it will just drag you down,” he said.

The Broncos face a challenging period both on and off the field, with Hunt’s form representative of wider struggles. The club has yet to confirm its approach to contract renewals and player retention ahead of the next season. Meanwhile, Hunt remains determined to prove his value and continue competing at the elite level despite the growing speculation about his future.