Ben Hunt’s $2.7 million purchase linked with next NRL move
Speculation is rife about Ben Hunt’s next move, with the former Dragon’s recent property splash being linked with his NRL future.
Speculation is building around Ben Hunt’s potential next move, with a number of clubs emerging as potential suitors for the Test and Queensland veteran.
Hunt’s increasingly bitter time with the Dragons finally ended on Wednesday when he was released from the final year of his contract.
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That quickly led to whispers over the 34-year-old’s possible landing spot for 2025, with the Dolphins, Titans and Roosters among the team’s linked with the veteran.
The Queenslander has regularly discussed a return to his home state and that talk only intensified following a major purchase Hunt made with wife Bridget in May.
The couple bought a $2.7 million property in Bangalow in northern NSW, which is just over an hour from the Gold Coast and two hours from Brisbane.
NRL great Scott Sattler has discussed the situation, saying it’s clear where Hunt ultimately wants to live, sooner or later.
“He’s just bought a beautiful farm in Bangalow,” Sattler said on SEN Radio.
“I’m not saying he wants to move there straight away and live there, but obviously that’s where he wants to end up.
“If you can get closer to where you’re eventually going to end up, it just minimises all that confusion around transitioning post-career (into retirement).”
The Titans have released young halfback Tanah Boyd, who has joined the Warriors, but that move is not being tied to Gold Coast’s possible move to sign Hunt.
The Titans have depth in their halves with AJ Brimson and Carter Gordon, while they also paid big bucks to sign Reagan Campbell-Gillard from the Eels.
Barring any roster decisions, the Broncos don’t have the salary cap space to make a move for Hunt, particularly after the Brisbane club opted against sacking Ezra Mam and his multimillion-dollar contract.
Rumours of the Sydney Roosters considering their own play to sign the veteran playmaker increased after the Tricolours gave prop Terrell May permission to test the open market.
May only signed a contract extension in Bondi Junction earlier this year, but is now reportedly considered surplus to requirements.
With gun halfback Sam Walker facing 12 months on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against the Raiders in September, Roosters coach Trent Robinson could be keen on some depth in their halves.
Incredibly, hooker Brandon Smith sustained his own serious knee injury in the same game, a position Hunt has filled at representative level.
While Sattler feels the Dolphins are best-placed to add Hunt to their roster, he also said the Roosters make sense.
“I look at the Roosters, who’ve got plenty of room in their salary cap,” he said.
“They’ve lost Sam Walker for most of next year, Luke Keary has moved on, Joey Manu has moved on so (Hunt) could be a really good two-year option at the Roosters.
“You’ve got the direction and the control of Benny Hunt, who has the ability to play off the cuff as well.
“And then you’ve got this Alfie Langer-type style in Sam Walker, who you don’t want to coach too much so you’ve just got to have that steady hand (playing) beside him.
“When to pick up the tempo of the game, when to bring it back and just being able to talk to him on the run and a person like Ben Hunt would be perfect in that scenario when Walker comes back.”
After a tumultuous off-season, during which it was reported Hunt had been given permission to speak to rival clubs before the November 1 market restart, he has now been cut adrift by the joint venture club.
SEN Radio Queensland’s Ben Davis said on air this week he had spoken to Hunt’s manager, Cole Davis, who said his client was open to all offers.
“What now for Ben Hunt? I have been on the phone with Hunt’s manager,” Davis said on SENQ.
“This all happened in the last 48 hours. Both parties shook hands, walked away, called it a draw and they are all happy.
“The Dragons can now move one and get on with the business of playing rugby league and administering a rugby league team.”
The Dragons and coach Shane Flanagan have expressed an interest in Parramatta’s Clint Gutherson, while Kyle Flanagan is the club’s incumbent five-eighth.
Hunt had reportedly softened on a preferred return to Queensland and would now consider linking up with another Sydney-based NRL club.
“Is Ben Hunt looking to come home (to Queensland)? Is he open to all offers? Including Super League?” Ben Davis continued.
“The answer is yes, yes and yes. The only thing he won’t entertain is a switch to rugby.
“He is open to all offers. Ideally he would like to come home but could stay in Sydney and even find himself in England.
“Hunt has a week off from Kangaroos camp. Phone calls will be made in earnest and they will get to work straight away.”
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