NRL 2024: Ben Hunt leaves door open for Titans move as Dragons contract talks stall
Ben Hunt has left the door ajar for a move to the Titans, with the Maroons star prepared to quit the Dragons if he fails to strike a new deal with the Red V.
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Ben Hunt has left the door ajar for a move to the Titans with the Queensland hooker prepared to quit the Dragons if he fails to strike a new deal with the Red V.
Hunt’s stance came as Queensland legend Billy Moore urged the Titans to launch a poaching bid for the Maroons match-winner, saying the Origin star can turn Gold Coast into a genuine premiership force.
The Dragons have made preliminary moves to secure their skipper to a new deal as Hunt prepares for Queensland’s series opener against NSW in Sydney next Wednesday night.
The 34-year-old is off-contract at the end of next season and St George Illawarra bosses are hoping to secure Hunt for another year in 2026 to avoid the Maroons rake heading to free agency on November 1.
Hunt’s preference is to finish his career at the Dragons, but whether he inks a 12-month extension is ultimately contingent on the strength of the Red V’s offer.
Dragons hierarchy have indicated to Hunt they want to extend his tenure at the club, but at this stage St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has yet to table a formal offer for his No.1 playmaker.
NRL rivals are still circling, with Hunt confirming he is open to testing his value on the open market as the former Broncos shot-caller confronts what shapes as the final contract of his 16-year career.
Asked if he has closed the door on a Queensland homecoming at the Titans, Hunt said: “Mate, I am not closing the door on anything at all.
“At the moment, I’m happy at the Dragons and we’ll work through it.
“There’s no talks at the moment.
“I am trying to focus on a few other things at the Dragons and get our team going in the right direction.
“We’re in the Origin period now so that (Dragons contract talks) might be on the backburner, there’s no rush for anything down there.
“We’ll sort it out.”
Hunt’s return to the Sunshine State seemed a fait accompli last year after he sensationally declared he wanted out of the Dragons amid the political turmoil that triggered the demise of coach Anthony Griffin.
Hunt was consistently linked with the Titans - and even a shock late-season cameo at the Broncos - but the Dragons played hardball, with Flanagan working overtime to keep his captain content at the Red V.
The 323-game Maroons veteran turns 35 next March and says there is every possibility he could soldier on in the NRL in 2026.
Asked how many years he has left, Hunt said: “I honestly don’t know.
“I am still feeling good in my body.
“Touch wood, I have been very lucky with injuries. Sometimes it’s harder to pull up after games with a sore body and stuff, but at the moment I’m still feeling OK so we will see how we go.”
Hunt is mindful his contract value remains strong given the likes of Daly Cherry-Evans and Adam Reynolds are dominating well into their 30s.
Despite his advancing years, Hunt could potentially still attract a $1 million offer and if the Dragons attempt to slash his wage, the Titans could become an option.
Halfback Tanah Boyd has yet to convince he is the main man for the Titans and former Maroons lock Moore urged Gold Coast coach Des Hasler to sign Hunt.
“Ben Hunt is a star. I’m sure St George don’t want to see him leave,” he said.
“The Titans are beginning to improve under Des Hasler’s coaching and if you drop Hunt into that team when he plays with the same determination, belief and courage, he would make the Titans a genuine finals team.
“The Titans have the strikepower to hurt teams, but they just lack that elite game manager and if you put Ben Hunt into that halfback slot, they are finals bound.
“I think Ben Hunt can do for the Titans what Adam Reynolds has done for the Broncos.
“He is like ‘DCE’ (Cherry-Evans) in that in the latter stages of his career, he has actually gotten better.
“Most guys who play 250 games don’t get better, but Ben Hunt can have that Reynolds-like influence at the Titans.
“I’d give him a three-year deal and then Ben Hunt can move into a coaching role post football and be settled with his life back home as a Queenslander.”
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Originally published as NRL 2024: Ben Hunt leaves door open for Titans move as Dragons contract talks stall
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