Brisbane Broncos forward Jaiyden Hunt has signed a deal with the Canberra Raiders to bolster the Green Machine's forward depth for 2027.
The club in the nation's capital has taken a significant hit in the engine room with departures to key forwards in Josh Papali'i (retired), Corey Horsburgh (Perth Bears), Morgan Smithies (Bears).
Hunt's contract, revealed by The Canberra Times, is set to be a two-year deal worth a reported $350,000.
The 28-year-old had been identified as a key depth player to help fill the void left in the forwards for next season.
The Rocklea native started his NRL career with the St George Illawarra Dragons, making his debut in 2021.
He played 14 matches across three consecutive seasons before returning to Queensland in 2024 with the Broncos.
Hunt made his impact in the club's premiership season in 2025, playing the most games out of all his six NRL seasons, with 12 appearances under Michael Maguire.
His nine games in Broncos colours in 2026 came with nine tackle breaks, 52 averaged running metres and 269 tackles made with a 92% effectiveness.
The Raiders have also secured Lipoi Hopoi, but has since injured his ACL in his final hit-out for the Bulldogs in reserve grade, putting a massive dent in his chance to impress Ricky Stuart in preseason training.
The club faces an exciting new chapter with an all-star youthful spine making their mark in the top grade, headlined by rookie debutant Coby Black turning heads in his NRL debut in Round 27.
Meanwhile, the Raiders are also understood to be looking to meet with Hudson Young this week.
Young was tabled a monster extension by the Raiders, but has also been given permission to negotiate with the PNG Chiefs, making it a two-horse race for the NSW representative.
The Chiefs reportedly offered a three-year deal worth up to $950,000, but the NRL stepped in as the head honchos deemed it to be under his market value.
Young was ruled out of the remainder of the season in July after rupturing his Achilles in Round 20 against South Sydney.
It has wiped him from representing Australia in the World Cup in October, but is set to be fit for Round 1 in 2027.
The 28-year-old also recently picked up the True Blue Award from NSWRL for his outstanding State of Origin series, playing every minute of each match in high intensity.
