Win-now move to shake-up race for Hunt; loophole opens door to Broncos: State of play
Two weeks after the Dragons sensationally released halfback Ben Hunt effective immediately, we’re no closer to finding out who the veteran playmaker will land with.
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There have been developments and whispers about his status with certain clubs but nothing concrete.
With Hunt now out of Australian camp following the Kangaroos’ Pacific Cup success, that could perhaps expedite the process.
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However, it’s likely whoever Hunt signs with will be the last NRL contract he’ll sign given he’s 34 years old, so it’s not a decision the Maroons star will want to rush.
Amid all of the speculation, Hunt’s former coach Anthony Griffin says that the veteran half still has a lot to offer due to his approach to training and his durability.
Hunt led the league in try assists last season and in a market short of quality halves, Hunt is clearly the top option available.
“Whoever gets him is going to land a great asset,’’ Griffin told News Corp.
“There are just no players on the market any more. It has got very tight now that it is a 17-team competition, and it will get even worse when it goes to 18.
“It is a real players market. It is so hard to recruit at the moment. Clubs just don’t let those really good players get to the market. And to have a playmaker like Ben on the market is extremely rare.
“He is a real professional. He works really hard on his body.
“He has a couple of seasons left at least. He has that Queensland country durability about him. Natural strength.”
At this stage, the Broncos are the favourites in the race for Hunt’s signature, but there are still a handful of other clubs in the running.
BRISBANE BRONCOS
New head coach Michael Maguire confirmed last week that the club have had conversations with Hunt and that any potential contract offer is a “work in progress”.
Hunt himself has also talked about a potential move back to Brisbane, stating it would be “special”.
Hunt started his NRL career at the Broncos, playing 187 games for the club before switching to the Dragons in 2018.
“Brisbane will always have a soft spot for me,” Hunt said.
“I have been involved with the club since I was 12 and they put a lot of work into me.
“If I had the opportunity to go finish there it would be special, but we have to see if that can work.”
Hunt tried in vain to gain a release from his Dragons deal during the 2023 season so he could sign with a Queensland club, but the Dragons held firm and kept him.
Given their cap restraints, it’ll be impossible for the Broncos to offer a deal to Hunt worth $900,000 – which is what he was set to earn at St. George-Illawarra next season.
However, there is a loophole the Broncos may be able to take advantage of.
For integrity reasons, the NRL blocks clubs from signing players well below market value.
Yet, there’s a rule in place that slashes the value of a player by $75,000 a month for each month he remains unsigned.
So, if he’s unsigned by December 1, his value drops to $825,000 and then $750,000 if he’s still unsigned by January 1.
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DOLPHINS
The NRL’s newest club has made no secret of their interest in Hunt, with the club reportedly armed with a war chest of over $1.3 million for any free agents.
While the Dolphins have approached Hunt’s management, coach Kristian Woolf said nearly a week ago that he has yet to speak to Hunt although believes he can be a good fit.
The Dolphins are set on Isiaya Katoa as the club’s half of the future, and why not given his outstanding game against Australia in the Pacific Cup final.
That means that Hunt would be asked to play five-eighth.
Not only would that improve the Dolphins, but also give Katoa to learn and play alongside one of the game’s best playmakers.
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CANTERBURY BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs appeared to be live players for Hunt’s signature a few weeks ago, but it’s gone quiet on that front.
The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis said on Fox Sports News in the aftermath of Hunt’s Dragons sacking that the Bulldogs “are a club at the top of the list” for the 34-year-old, but nothing has eventuated or been reported since linking the two parties.
ROOSTERS
There have been rumblings here and there that the Roosters could make a play at Hunt to be a stopgap option in 2025 with halfback Sam Walker sidelined.
The Roosters signed Chad Townsend from the Cowboys who is solid, but Hunt is a clear upgrade and he would give the club a terrific chance to contest for a premiership without Walker, who suffered a serious knee injury late last season.
The Roosters are always in win-now mode, which is why Hunt’s signing makes sense.
Plus, with the likes of Joey Manu, Joseph Suaalii, Luke Keary and Jared Waerea-Hargraeves leaving the club, there’s room in the salary cap to bring in Hunt for $800,000-$900,000 in 2025.
GOLD COAST TITANS
The other Queensland club that’s a chance of bringing in Hunt is the Titans.
They got rid of Tanah Boyd after the season ended, meaning rugby union convert Carter Gordon has been earmarked to start 2025 as the Titans No. 7.
The Titans are reportedly happy with their halves situation, so they are the outsiders to land Hunt, but given their location and talented roster, the veteran half will likely be interested if the club do reach out.
