St George Illawarra powerbrokers are prepared to play hardball and block an immediate release for Ben Hunt after Brisbane made it known they were keen to welcome him home for the remainder of this season.
A day after Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy expressed his frustrations with the NRL after it queried whether Queensland clubs had been in contact with Hunt, Brisbane made it clear they wanted to be in the box seat for the playmaker’s services should the Dragons let him leave this year.
The Gold Coast Titans remain the favourites to sign Hunt for 2024 and beyond.
Broncos skipper Adam Reynolds welcomed any chance to link with Hunt for the remaining eight regular-season games then finals, declaring: “Any player of his calibre would be a handy pick-up at this time of year. He’d be someone who would further strengthen a team that is already performing well.”
Hunt refused to confirm if he had played his last game in the Red V on Friday night and is due to thrash out his future with Dragons management and incoming coach Shane Flanagan in the next 48 hours.
When asked after the 48-18 drubbing by the Warriors if there was anything the Dragons could do to change his mind, Hunt said: “I’m honestly not sure.”
He has made it clear he wants to leave the club immediately and to return home to Queensland, despite being under contract until the end of 2025.
Ben Hunt has been linked to a three-month cameo with Brisbane.Credit: Getty
Dragons officials were surprised by reports Hunt was in line for a three-month cameo at Red Hill, given neither the Broncos nor Hunt’s management has contacted them.
Sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed the Dragons would not entertain an early release from Hunt’s contract until they had met with the star halfback to discuss his grievances.
Under NRL rules, the Broncos and any other club cannot negotiate with Hunt unless the Dragons give them permission.
The Broncos posted a cheeky tweet on Saturday afternoon asking, “What’s Rugby League’s Santa bringing us this year?” Before adding: “Ben Hunt answers not accepted”.
The fireworks are set to continue this week for Ben Hunt and the Dragons.Credit: Getty
The Dragons have proven in the past 12 months they are prepared to dig their heels in, which they did with lesser-profile players Tyrell Sloan and Jayden Sullivan, who wanted to join the Dolphins and Bulldogs respectively.
While there have been reports of a player swap, the Broncos are unlikely to entertain releasing a player given Hunt would likely only play with them for the remainder of 2023.
The rules that allow players to strengthen title contenders at the expense of those clubs no longer in the finals race have never been received well by fans, including in 2021 when Tevita Pangai jnr was released by Brisbane, then wooden spoon contenders, to beef up the Panthers pack as they went on to win the premiership.
Panthers group chief executive Brian Fletcher had no concerns about the Broncos making a play for Hunt to strengthen their premiership push, saying: “Rules are rules, and if what the club wants to do is within the rules, there are no problems.”
Penrith are premiership favourites, while Brisbane are second favourites.
Hunt’s proposed three-month cameo in Brisbane would likely be in the No.9 jersey, with Billy Walters, coach Kevin Walters’ son, expected to move to No.14. Reynolds would remain the halfback and skipper.
When told about Hunt’s possible return to Red Hill, Reynolds joked: “I might be gone. We actually haven’t been told anything, but we read the papers and hear the gossip.
“Ben is a competitor, a winner and he’d be a great one to get if he became available. All the Queensland boys and everyone who plays against him only have good things to say about him.
“I know what he brings to the table having gone up against him for several years. We’ll see what happens.”
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