Broncos rally around Hunt, Gould in tragic times

Brisbane NRLW player Toni Hunt (c) is battling a second cancer diagnosis. (Scott Radford-Chisholm/AAP PHOTOS)

Brisbane NRLW coach Scott Prince says they will rally around squad members Toni Hunt and Lavinia Gould, who are both dealing with personal trauma.

The 35-year-old Hunt, who has played two games this season, has taken indefinite leave to undergo chemotherapy after a second cancer diagnosis.

Foundation Broncos hooker Gould, 40, is supporting her daughter who is in a serious condition in hospital following complications from surgery late last month.

The Brisbane team will wear tribute jerseys against Wests Tigers in Newcastle on Saturday with a heart and the two players’ initials embroidered in maroon above the Broncos logo.

Prince said the club had provided emotional and financial support to Hunt and Gould.

The Broncos are in fourth position on the ladder and want to keep winning for their two teammates, while providing support.

“When you have trauma in life, whether it is with your personal family or sporting family, it is quite tragic and emotional,” he said.

“The girls are a very supportive bunch and a tight-knit group. This is something that will galvanise this team and something to play for, if not their own personal and team goals, it is certainly for these two lovely ladies.

“It is another driving force towards making this top four.

“We’ve certainly had an opportunity to chat with Toni. We understand that the way we can rally around her and be supportive of her is emotionally …and we will be all-in with Toni and her family.

“Lavinia has her own battles with her daughter. That is ongoing. It has obviously taken a crazy turn in recent times.”

Prince said it had been a thrill for him on a personal level to coach Hunt.

“Toni is an integral part of our group. I remember watching her play touch footy in Kuala Lumpur in 2019 and I said then that if I ever coached a rugby league team I’d give her a call,” he said.

“I reunited with her at Valleys in 2021 and it is great to see her experience NRLW at the highest level.”

While a difficult time for the players, Prince backed them to keep performing.

“The girls are professional,” he said.

“They understand there is trauma around not only our team, but in society. The girls have put that to the side and focused on what needs to be done.”

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store