By Michael Chammas and Danny Weidler
St George Illawarra are considering making a play for Wests Tigers utility Adam Doueihi after informing Ben Hunt he had permission to begin negotiating with rival clubs immediately.
The Dragons have had internal discussions about making a play for Doueihi, who is a free agent after November 1.
The Tigers have not been able to move a number of players in their roster and the Dragons are willing to entertain the idea of Doueihi joining the club immediately if the Tigers are willing to release him.
Doueihi is on a deal worth around $350,000 at the Tigers next year.
Hunt’s future at the Dragons is up in the air as it grows increasingly likely that he has played his final game for the red V.
Ben HuntCredit: NRL Photos
Sources with knowledge of the situation talking under the condition of anonymity due to confidentiality told this masthead that the Dragons held a board meeting on Tuesday and decided to allow Hunt the opportunity to begin speaking with rival clubs for 2026 before the November 1 free agency date.
It is unclear if Hunt, who is in Australian camp, has been informed of the club’s intention for him to test the open market two weeks earlier than he would’ve been allowed. His management has been made aware of the development.
The Dragons recently told Hunt that they are not in a position to offer him a contract beyond his current deal which expires at the end of 2025 despite holding talks with him earlier in the year about the prospect of potentially playing on.
Those talks have since been put on hold with a view of revisiting them after a few games next season. Hunt has made it known publicly of his concerns about having no future at the Dragons. Privately he has been concerned about what he believes is a leaking campaign to undermine his position at the club over an unfavourable end-of-season review.
Tension between Hunt and the Dragons escalated after coach Shane Flanagan told him his performances weren’t up to standard in the exit review.
Hunt has previously wanted a release from the Dragons, however the club - led by Flanagan - insisted he stayed put and honoured his deal for at least 12 months before they revisited his situation.
The Dragons haven’t mentioned the prospect of releasing Hunt in 2025, however sources with knowledge of the situation told this masthead that the club would entertain the notion of Hunt playing at another club next season if they could get something in return.
Hunt recently indicated he would be open to a return to Queensland. He has purchased property in the Byron Hinterland. However, Hunt has attracted interest from some Sydney clubs.
Ilias-Hastings swap deal off the cards
South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias has informed coach Wayne Bennett of his intention to stay at the club despite the Newcastle Knights showing interest in his services for next year.
Lachlan Ilias is staying put, for now.Credit: Getty Images
The Knights and Rabbitohs held discussions about a potential swap deal that would have seen Jackson Hastings reunite with former Great Britain coach Bennett at South Sydney, paving the way for Ilias to head to the Knights.
Bennett was open to the idea, having worked with Hastings in the Great Britain side in 2019, but was not going to push to remove Ilias from the club despite the halfback requesting permission to explore his options elsewhere.
Ilias, who is much loved by his South Sydney teammates, called Bennett on Wednesday to get an understanding of where he stood, given the arrival of St Helens playmaker Lewis Dodd in 2025.
The Rabbitohs coach said he was happy for him to remain at the club and fight for his position, but would start behind Dodd in the pecking order. He also told Ilias that he could be used as a hooker. Ilias then informed Bennett of his desire to stay.
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