Brisbane Broncos footy star who returned to the field after beating a very rare form of cancer gets the news no player wants to hear

The Brisbane Broncos have been rocked by news that player Toni Hunt has received a devastating cancer diagnosis after seemingly beating the disease last year.

The 33-year-old mother of three was diagnosed with stage four cancer last March after undergoing a routine fitness check.

Hunt underwent 12 weeks of chemotherapy for cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, a very rare disease that often has no symptoms.

She had her gallbladder, half of her liver and two lymph nodes removed to beat the disease – and was cleared to come back and play football afterwards.

Just weeks ago, Hunt received the heartbreaking news for the second time after spots were detected on a scan. She will now start chemotherapy again.

Hunt (pictured with partner Tahu) was first diagnosed with stage four cancer in March 2022

Hunt returned to the football field for Wynnum Manly earlier this year almost exactly twelve months after her initial diagnosis.

Hunt played in the Queensland derby clash against the Cowboys in Townsville after making a comeback for the Broncos in her second NRLW game.

She was emotional crossing over for her first NRLW effort as the Broncos overwhelmed their opponents.

“I cried inside when I ran out, it was the best feeling and I was over the moon,” she shared NRL.com

“Tahu (Hunt’s partner) flew up for the game and Mum said the kids were jumping around the TV when I scored.

‘I’m so proud of myself. I was absolutely over the moon and feel empowered by the fact that I was able to achieve this, and I believe I can.”

Captain Ali Brigginshaw said it was inspiring to see Hunt get back to her best.

“I’ve never met someone like her who can just say, ‘Hey, I have cancer, but I don’t care.’ I don’t want anyone to say anything about it or feel sorry for me, I just want to beat it,” she said.

Brisbane Broncos NRLW star Toni Hunt is being treated for cancer in hospital

Hunt returned to the soccer field almost exactly one year after her diagnosis

“We all reached out to her but she wanted us to continue and even when she was undergoing chemotherapy she still wanted to be on the field.

“She wasn’t nervous when she started that game and was so thankful to be there. You think you’re having a rough football day and then you can look at Toni and know you’re not.

“It meant so much to us as a team to see her score. It’s probably the highlight of my career for me and some of the other girls just because we’ve been through most of it with her.

“To be there in the sad times and then see her smiling with her partner and children, I am amazed at her courage through it all. It’s unbelievable.’

The Broncos are also rallying around player Lavinia Gould, whose 19-year-old daughter has reportedly been put into an induced coma.

Gould’s daughter Kaia underwent open heart surgery on Monday.