St George Illawarra and Ben Hunt have opened conversations about a contract extension, with the Dragons captain indicating he is keen to explore the possibility of playing on at the red V in 2026.
In a significant show of faith in new coach Shane Flanagan, it appears Hunt has had a dramatic change of heart and is now considering extending, rather than prematurely ending, his time at the club.
Hunt requested an immediate release in 2023 after the Dragons sacked coach Anthony Griffin, declaring he wanted to move back home to Queensland.
While disgruntled winger Zac Lomax is departing the club at the end of the season amid interest from the Parramatta Eels, Hunt’s future at the Dragons suddenly looks a lot more secure.
The veteran playmaker’s future has been the topic of great conjecture of the past nine months, but the 34-year-old is enjoying life under new coach Shane Flanagan.
The Herald can reveal that the Dragons have held informal conversations with Hunt about playing on beyond 2025, when his current contract expires, with the Queensland Origin representative intimating he was keen to finish his career at the Dragons. Hunt will turn 36 at the start of the 2026 season.
Dragons captain Ben Hunt.Credit: Getty
Sources with knowledge of the situation talking on the condition of anonymity in order to speak freely said the Dragons are yet to open formal negotiations with Hunt but are confident his feelings towards the club have changed in the last six months.
Flanagan hinted as much at a press conference on Thursday morning.
“Ben wants to be here,” Flanagan said ahead of his side’s clash with the Knights in Newcastle on Friday night. “Ben will see out his contract and maybe go further so don’t confuse the issue of Ben and Zac. They are two different issues.”
Hunt has formed a handy combination with five-eighth Kyle Flanagan, guiding the Dragons to two wins from their first four games of the season.
Hunt has been one of the Dragons’ most consistent performers since joining the club and has showed no signs of losing the game smarts that has seen him play more than 300 games in the NRL.
The Dragons are expected to open formal negotiations with Hunt and his management in the coming weeks about extending his deal and finishing his career under Flanagan at the Dragons as one of the oldest players in the competition.
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