By Nick Wright
It has been a drawn-out saga, one that began on the eve of last year’s State of Origin series, but Ben Hunt’s time with the Dragons is finally over.
The Red V has confirmed the Maroons’ star’s release from the final year of his contract, after the veteran halfback voiced hopes of a return to Queensland almost 18 months ago.
While first-year coach Shane Flanagan seemed to have put concerns of a departure to bed, a limp finish to the 2024 season heightened expectations that Hunt would leave his lucrative contract.
Maroons star Ben Hunt has been released by the Dragons. Could a Queensland homecoming loom?Credit: Getty Images
Now the search will be on for a new club.
Two key questions now come into play: where does he want to finish his career, and who can actually afford him?
The 34-year-old was on a multimillion-dollar deal with St George-Illawarra, and it is believed he hopes to play on beyond 2025.
His former club, the Broncos, are currently determining their long-term scrum base, given that halfback Adam Reynolds is likely to retire at the end of 2025 and Ezra Mam’s future remains uncertain.
Mam is facing a hefty suspension, at the very least, following his involvement in a car accident in which he was allegedly driving without a licence before failing a roadside drug test.
The incident landed a mother and daughter in hospital.
New Brisbane coach Michael Maguire refused to confirm the 21-year-old’s tenure at Red Hill was safe.
“I know he’s getting some help at the moment about where he’s at. When he works through that, I’ll obviously get some time with him and assess everything that’s going on,” Maguire said.
“The seriousness of the incident is huge, people get hurt in these situations. He’s got to go through a process with police and the game, and the organisation itself.
“Wherever that’s going to land, we’re going to move forward with what we have.”
When news that Hunt wanted out of the Dragons first came to light last year, he was largely connected to the Gold Coast. However, despite his ability to play both halfback and hooker, the club has reportedly pulled out of the race.
Ben Hunt was first connected to the Titans, however the recruitment of former Wallabies star Carter Gordon appears to have ended that dalliance.Credit: Getty Images
The Titans have former Wallabies five-eighth Carter Gordon developing promisingly, while Jayden Campbell’s shift to five-eighth keeps them well stocked.
But should they reconsider, given the injury-plagued Kieran Foran is nearing the end of his career, the addition of Hunt could not only give the Glitter Strip an established halfback, it could bring out the best in one of their biggest names – David Fifita.
Given his obvious talent but perceived inability to harness it for prolonged periods, Fifita’s name is never far from the headlines.
The star edge forward was a shock omission from Billy Slater’s Maroons’ squads throughout the Origin campaign, and while he possesses obvious game-breaking potential, his form dipped in the latter stages of the season.
Enabling him to link with Hunt on the same edge could be the tonic that returns him to his best.
But Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui believes his close friend will already be a more damaging prospect in 2025.
“I think he was emotional about things, obviously with the [lack of Maroons] selection and media. But Dave had a good attitude. I spoke to him every day just about, keeping up,” Fa’asuamaleaui said.
“He understood – Billy spoke to him – and he understood what he had to work on. I was just checking up on him on the welfare side of things, and he was good.
“He just wants to do what’s best for the Titans and keep putting his best foot forward.”
Then there are the Dolphins.
New coach Kristian Woolf did little to pour water over a possible play for Hunt’s services, and while the Tonga mentor confirmed on the eve of the Pacific Championships the two parties had not been in contact, he said they were open to considering any player who they felt would add value.
The Redcliffe-based outfit will come equipped with a war chest of funds after being patient in their pursuit of talent, which could become more formidable if star prop Thomas Flegler is unable to continue his career after suffering nerve damage in his shoulder.
While Woolf is a big fan of rookie No.7 Isaiya Katoa, the 20-year-old has lacked an on-field mentor tasked with guiding the side alongside veteran five-eighth Kodi Nikorima.
The Dolphins’ new coach, Kristian Woolf, is not averse to discussing the possibility of Ben Hunt moving to Redcliffe. Credit: NRL Photos
Hunt could provide both a seasoned head to educate the youngster, while also enabling him to shift to the No.6 jumper temporarily, a move that reaped huge dividends for Cowboys ace Tom Dearden.
“I read the media reports, and I can stand here with my hand on my heart and say we’ve had no contact at all,” Woolf said.
“At the moment, it’s not something I’m interested in talking about because there hasn’t been any contact.”
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