Bulldogs pull out of Ben Hunt race as twists keep coming

Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould has aborted the club’s plot to snare Ben Hunt as the twists keep coming in the saga.

Ben Hunt, Shane Flanagan. NRL PHOTOS

The Bulldogs have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign star playmaker Ben Hunt.

The former Dragons halfback is the hottest property on the open market after he was released from the final year of his contract.

It emerged earlier this month the Bulldogs were one of the biggest players in the public battle to secure the Queensland Origin star’s signature.

The Broncos, Dolphins and Roosters have been the other club’s mentioned, but it is increasingly looking likely the 34-year-old could be making a fairy tale return to the Broncos.

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The news about the Bulldogs’ move comes on the same day the Dolphins have reportedly made a last-ditch bid to blow the other clubs out of the water with a $1.4 million deal.

Code Sports first reported the Dolphins have upped the ante with a late offer of $1.4 million for two seasons, but that has prompted a return of serve from the Broncos.

The Broncos are reportedly set to offer Hunt a job after he retires in an extra carrot for the former Dragons halfback to consider.

It may now be a straight shoot-out between the two Brisbane clubs.

The Sydney Morning Herald first reported the Bulldogs have pulled out in a show of faith in current halfback Toby Sexton.

According to the report, Gould, coach Cameron Ciraldo and chairman Adam Driussi reached an agreement not to further pursue Hunt because it could destabilise the team.

Ben Hunt in Kangaroos colours. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers.

Broncos recruitment manager Simon Scanlan reportedly met with Hunt in Sydney on Friday.

The club is also reported to have further upgraded its offer following the Dolphins’ monster offer.

The Dolphins are reportedly the highest bidder for Hunt with a deal for $800,000 in 2025 and $600,000 for 2026.

The NRL salary cap auditors will have to rubberstamp Hunt’s contract, which depends on his market value based on the four offers he receives from the Broncos, Dolphins, Bulldogs and Roosters.

Hunt’s previous deal with the Dragons for 2025 was worth $950,000, but the NRL will determine Hunt’s value based on how many offers he receives and an average of the monetary amounts to determine his market value.

NRL auditors have the power to place a nominal figure on Hunt and, for example, have him valued at $800,000 in Brisbane’s salary cap, even if the Broncos’ official deal is worth less.

Despite the Dolphins’ offer, the Broncos are reportedly in the box seat to bring Hunt home, with their two-year deal estimated to be worth around $1.1 million.

Ben Hunt gave his all for the Red V. Picture: NRL Photos

The Broncos’ deal is worth $300,000 less than the Dolphins offer, but the chance to work at the club post football is a powerful carrot in the negotiations.

Hunt owns property in Brisbane and Byron Bay and has spoken of his desire to return to Queensland since first agitating for a release from the Dragons in 2023.

Under NRL salary cap rules, in the final year of their career, a player can be paid off the salary cap as part of their transition into retirement.

The Broncos also have a sly loophole up their sleeve with the club able to reduce Hunt’s hit to their salary cap the longer he remains an uncontracted free agent.

The Courier-Mail first explained the NRL will not allow any club to sign hunt on a cheap contract because his value on the open market is comparable to the reported $900,000 he was set to earn next season. The NRL blocks clubs from signing players at below their market value to protect the integrity of the competition.

It means any club looking to sign Hunt will likely have to offer around $900,000 for 2025.

The critical factor in the Broncos’ favour is that Hunt’s evaluated contract worth would decline by $75,000 every month he remains uncontracted following the November 1 signing deadline.

It means Hunt’s salary for 2025 would reduce to $750,000 if he remains un-signed by January 1 — or $675 if he does not sign on the dotted line until February 1.

According to reports, the club will still have to release a player from its top squad in order to sneak Hunt onto its books.

— with foxsports.com.au