Ben Hunt contract battle has taken a ‘sudden’ twist

An unexpected horse has reportedly entered the race for Dragons and Maroons star Ben Hunt in a surprising twist to the negotiations.

Is Hunt looking elsewhere? Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Ben Hunt is a wanted man in the rugby league world.

The Dragons skipper has been linked to a move since the saga surrounding his coach and friend Anthony Griffin being shown the door at St George Illawarra.

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Last month, after weeks of speculation, the Dragons ripped the Band-Aid off and sacked Griffin after a run of six straight losses before the side slumped to the bottom of the ladder despite a win the following round.

Griffin had already been ordered to reapply for his job, a sign many had seen as the beginning of the end of his tenure at the club.

It saw the Bulldogs reportedly throw their hat in the ring for the 33-year-old Dragons halfback and Maroons hooker, and now there’s reportedly a new potential suitor — the Gold Coast Titans.

“There was plenty of talk yesterday from clubs who are watching the Ben Hunt situation that the Gold Coast are suddenly right in the market,” Weidler said on Sky Sports Radio.

“Late yesterday I was getting information that a couple of their halves were being told, and other clubs were being told it was okay to talk to them.

“I don’t know if that means something or not. But there’s some theory that Ben Hunt might want to go back to Queensland where he’s from.

“I still think in the background, the Bulldogs have been interested for a while — or for a half in general — and Ben Hunt fits the bill a lot of ways in that he’s experienced and he could guide a relatively young side around quite well.

“Whether the Bulldogs are still the pick, I don’t know. I think Ben Hunt is going to wait for Origin to be done and for a coach to be appointed. Don’t forget he’s on contract and the Dragons would have to let him go.”

Interesting news for Hunt. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

It leaves the Dragons with a massive call after the club’s approach for rookie coach Jason Ryles was rejected last week.

Although Hunt has been seen as arguably the one bright spot in a bleak season so far for the Red V, there has been plenty of speculation over his departure from the club.

Hunt is contracted until the end of the 2025 season but appeared to suggest in April that if Griffin left, then he didn’t see the point in rebuilding under a new coach as he nears the end of his career.

“He has been here for a couple of years now and we are building in a direction I believe is the right direction,” he said.

“I believe if you take away your coach and bring a new coach in, it’s going to start that cycle again and to be honest I don’t have the time to start it all again.”

There are some big weeks ahead for St George Illawarra.