NRL 2024 market watch: Dragons confirm Ronald Volkman replacement, Ben Hunt’s promise to club

St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt has committed to the club in the wake of multiple pre-season setbacks as the Dragons confirm Ronald Volkman’s replacement.

Canterbury boss Phil Gould. Picture: Julian Andrews

Ben Hunt has offered Dragons fans respite from a turbulent pre-season by declaring he is fully-committed to helping resurrect the club in 2024.

The most important member of the entire St George Illawarra roster, Hunt has allayed any fears that he is planning on sparking another pre-season issue for the club that has already dealt with the deregistration of half Junior Amone, the loss of new recruit Corey Allan to an ACL injury and the Ronald Volkman contract saga.

On Thursday the Dragons revealed they used Volkman’s vacant spot to sign NSW Cup Player of the Year Jesse Marshke as their back-up half/hooker 2023.

That said, Hunt’s future is paramount to St George Illawarra’s climb up the ladder in 2024.

The Test and Queensland State of Origin star was on deck to help announce a new major sponsor for the Dragons, Squadron Energy.

He spoke of his commitment to turning the club around and about pressure to remain healthy given his undeniable influence on the club’s aspirations?

Ben Hunt commits to resurrecting the Dragons in 2024. Picture: NRL Photos

“I’ve been lucky throughout my career to be fit for most of it, so I never give too much thought to it,’’ Hunt said.

“Personally I’m feeling good. I’m fit, healthy and feeling strong. I’m just eager to play footy again.

“I’m focused on the future, I’ve got too much going on in this pre-season, trying to get things sorted out for this season, so I’m just focused on that.

“I want to play good footy again and win some footy games, that’s where I’m at.

“There’s no question about my love for the game, I still feel like I can play for a long time.’’

Hunt did concede that the departure of Amone, plus Allen’s injury and the Volkman saga was a test for the club’s depth.

The experienced playmaker has been training alongside fresh recruit Kyle Flanagan in the halves. Jack Bird has also trained at five-eighth, while Marshke will also begin training in the spine.

Jacob Liddle is the club’s first-choice hooker while Tyrell Sloan and Zac Lomax have been used at fullback since training resumed in January.

“It would be nice to settle on a long-term spine, that’s where we want to get too,’’ Hunt said

“The longer you can keep a nine, seven, six and one together the proof is in the pudding when it comes to winning comps.’’

DOGS TABLE MULTI-YEAR DEAL FOR ROOSTER

- David Riccio and Michael Carayannis

Canterbury have zeroed-in on Terrell May with a multi-year contract offer that could prise the promising forward out of the Roosters.

One of the finds of last season for the Bondi club, May climbed out of the NSW Cup to finish 2023 as a major influence on the club’s stirring late season surge to the finals.

Such was his presence in the middle of the field for the Roosters, May’s season culminated with 17 NRL appearances and his international debut for Samoa against Australia.

Still just 24-years-old, May is off-contract at the end of the upcoming 2024 season.

His management has been pitching the 183cm prop-forward to clubs with an asking price of around $500,000 a season.

The Roosters are attempting to hold onto May, but face a delicate salary cap juggle with the likes of representative forwards Brandon Smith, Lindsay Collins, and Spencer Leniu and rising stars Siua Wong and Naufahu Whyte all tied-up beyond 2024.

Terrell and Taylan May.

May is an ideal target for a Bulldogs pack crying out for a hard-nosed big man.

The club are on the hunt for additional support in their front-row following the departure of Tevita Pangai Jr and Luke Thompson, while the club also opted out of signing Sio Siua Taukeiaho for medical reasons.

A Panthers under-20s and NSW Cup player, May has a relationship with Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo from their days together at Penrith.

It was only last week that May went public with his desire to sign with any club that would also sign his two brothers, Taylan (Panthers) and Tyrone (Hull KR).

“I want to be honest here, my talks are with whoever wants to sign us three brothers, that’s where I want to be,” May told The Bloke In A Bar podcast.

“Robbo (Roosters coach Trent Robinson) knows too. I haven’t hid it from him. Whichever club wants three brothers, that’s where I’ll be at.

Tyrone May. NRL Imagery

Terrell May. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“We are all off at the same time. That’s the preference, if a club can get all three of us, I’ll sign there in a heartbeat no matter what. I think everyone would.

“If you have two brothers you could be at the same club with, I think you’d want to be there no matter the situation.’’

The Bulldogs are constantly assessing their roster and won’t rule out discussing the acquisition of Taylan and Tyrone, but it’s understood the club’s only focus at this point in time is on signing May.

Taylan, an elusive winger, is on the comeback trail after missing the entire 2023 season with a torn ACL.

Tyrone is preparing for the 2024 season in the English Super League with Hull KR.

Originally published as NRL 2024 market watch: Dragons confirm Ronald Volkman replacement, Ben Hunt’s promise to club