NRL 2024: Manly re-sign Nathan Brown, Ben Hunt set to sign Dragons extension | Transfer News

The Manly Sea Eagles have re-signed a veteran forward, while Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will meet with Ben Hunt to finalise a new contract for 2026. See the latest transfer news.

Nathan Brown has re-signed with the Sea Eagles for another two-years. Picture: Getty Images

Manly have re-signed veteran forward Nathan Brown for another two years.

Brown’s career has been revived since joining the Sea Eagles this year. He had a short stint at the Roosters last year before joining Manly on a cut price deal.

Brown arrived on a train and trial contract before impressing in the pre-season.

—Michael Carayannis

Nathan Brown has re-signed with the Sea Eagles for another two-years. Picture: Getty Images

EXCLUSIVE: HUNT SET TO SIGN DRAGONS EXTENSION

—Dean Ritchie

The hunt for Ben is just about over – and it will have historic ramifications.

Over a “feed” in the next fortnight, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will meet with star halfback Ben Hunt and wife Bridget to finalise a new contract for 2026.

Both parties are comfortable with the club’s direction and a one-year extension is now a formality. The final layer in negotiations will be money but Flanagan is aware what Hunt is worth and will pay it.

Flanagan will more likely meet with Hunt after the Queensland champion returns to Wollongong after State of Origin II in Melbourne on June 26.

An official announcement could be just a fortnight away.

Hunt’s new deal will push him into the NRL record books. He has currently played 324 NRL games for Brisbane and St George Illawarra since debuting in 2009.

With 11 regular season games remaining this year, plus another two full seasons, with the possibility of additional finals games, Hunt will finish around 385 games, barring injury.

That would place him second overall to Melbourne’s Cam Smith, who hold the all-time record of 430 NRL games.

Ben Hunt and his wife will meet with Shane Flanagan. Picture: NRL Photos

Smith’s former Storm teammate Cooper Cronk is second on 372. With 385 games, Hunt would wedge himself between the pair. Another Queenslander, Darren Lockyer (355), is third.

Hunt’s impending extension is a remarkable about-face given he formally and publicly sought a release in 2023 after the club sacked coach Anthony Griffin.

“It’s probable – but anything is possible,” said Hunt’s manager, Col Davis.

Rockhampton-born Hunt was linked to a return to Queensland, possibly the Gold Coast, but wants to include himself in Flanagan’s vision for the Dragons, who have won seven from 13 games this season.

“Ben has told me he wants to stay,” Flanagan said. “I will sit down with Ben and Bridget in the next week or two, have a feed, and talk about it. We’ll go from there. Ben is happy where the club is heading and wants to be part of it.

“He is all about winning and we are winning football games. We’re lucky to have him and we want to keep him. He is crucial to our club. Ben’s our captain, a rep player and a halfback.

“It’s not something we’re in a rush to get done but we’ll sit down as soon as possible when time allows us. We are going into an important game against Manly this week and then Ben will head into (Queensland) camp so we will have to get to each other at the right time.

“Ben trains all the time. It’s not like he’s injured and has one day at training and then the next day off. His body is still in good shape, he’s looked after himself for a long period of time. That’s the modern day footballer.”

Hunt has already posted 32 try involvements this year – that’s 2.6 a game, the most of his career.

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

His retention is vital given the club will lose State of Origin winger Zac Lomax to Parramatta next season.

Aged 34, Hunt will be 36 when the extension concludes.

There is no suggestion he will definitely retire after 2026.

Hunt continues to defy his birth certificate along with Queensland teammate and Manly halfback, 35-year-old Daly Cherry-Evans. Hunt’s Dragons play Cherry-Evans’ Manly at 4 Pines Park this Sunday afternoon.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Manly re-sign Nathan Brown, Ben Hunt set to sign Dragons extension | Transfer News