Dolphins confirm interest in signing Ben Hunt, Broncos return remains an option

Armed with a million-dollar war chest, the Dolphins have emerged as Ben Hunt’s best chance of a Queensland swan song, after hope for a potential Broncos reunion suffered a setback.

Ben Hunt is a free agent after being granted a release from the Dragons. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

The Dolphins have become the first NRL club to confirm interest in bringing Ben Hunt home to Queensland as the Broncos left the door ajar for a potential Red Hill reunion.

Hunt is officially on the NRL’s open market ahead of the 2025 season after being released from the final year of his St George Illawarra contract following an ugly divorce.

The Dragons and Hunt agreed to a mutual release on Wednesday morning following months of speculation about his future at the Red V.

Hunt, 34, has previously indicated he is keen to return to his home state to finish his career, with a mooted move to the Gold Coast Titans not eventuating last year.

The Titans are believed to have moved on while the Cowboys have ruled out making a play for Hunt, with Jake Clifford, Tom Duffy and Jaxon Purdue auditioning to be Tom Dearden’s halves partner in 2025.

Now the NRL’s youngest club has emerged as the 334-game veteran’s best chance of a Queensland swan song, with the Bulldogs shaping as a potential new home in Sydney.

Armed with a war chest of cash after underspending on their salary cap during the club’s first two NRL seasons, the Dolphins can accommodate Hunt’s lofty asking price in the $1 million-a-year ballpark.

The Dolphins also have uncertainty around their halves options which currently comprise young gun Isaiya Katoa, Kodi Nikorima and Sean O’Sullivan.

Incoming Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf refused to close the door on Hunt last week and CEO Terry Reader confirmed the club’s interest following his release from the Dragons.

“The Dolphins have always said that we are interested in good players that are available,” he said.

“We only learned of the situation regarding Ben Hunt from the media this morning and have not had any contact with him or his management in relation to him coming to the Dolphins.

“However we are sure if he is interested in speaking to us, we will hear from his management.”

While the Dolphins have spoken publicly about Hunt, the Broncos remain in the mix, particularly with five-eighth Ezra Mam facing an uncertain future.

Mam is currently in a rehabilitation facility and the centre of a police investigation following a car crash in Brisbane on October 18.

Mam, 21, was allegedly driving unlicensed and failed a roadside drug test following a head-on collision with an Uber.

While the Mam is unlikely to be sacked, there is a possibility he could be suspended for at least the opening two months of the 2025 premiership, leaving Brisbane without one of their star playmakers.

The Broncos showed interest in signing Hunt late last season for a short cameo, but the move never eventuated.

Now he is officially a free agent, Broncos figures have not ruled out making a play for Hunt as new coach Michael Maguire assesses his playmaking options ahead of pre-season training beginning next week.

Hunt made his NRL debut for the Broncos in 2009 and played 187 games for Brisbane, including the club’s 2015 grand final loss to North Queensland.

A stumbling block in a return to Red Hill for Hunt could be current Broncos captain Adam Reynolds, who is the club’s starting halfback.

However, Hunt has shown his versatility by playing hooker for Queensland and Australia at representative level.