NRL probing Queensland NRL clubs dealings with Ben Hunt after Dragons release request

The NRL has asked three Queensland clubs for details of any negotiations with Ben Hunt, prompting a stinging response from the brass at Brisbane.

Ben Hunt celebrates a try for Queensland during last year’s State of Origin series.

Brisbane Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy has slammed the NRL inquisition into reported talks between rival clubs and St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt.

This masthead revealed on Friday that the NRL salary cap auditor Matt Faulkner had contacted the three clubs from south-east Queensland asking them for notes of negotiation with Hunt, who has requested a release from his deal with the Dragons.

The Broncos were among the clubs on the receiving end of the email, prompting Donaghy to fire back a stinging response via email to the NRL in which he questioned why his club had been targeted.

He doubled down when contacted on Friday afternoon.

“I’m disappointed by the email, there was no context provided in it either,” Donaghy said.

“Our game’s integrity unit has been wasting and will continue to waste a lot of time on this nonsense until the system is overhauled.

“We’ve had no discussions about Ben inside our club. He’s contracted to the Dragons, so it’s a waste of time. If that changes in time, then it changes but that will be a matter for the Dragons and Ben to sort out.

“We are only worried about ourselves.”

Ben Hunt is hoping to sign with a Queensland-based club.

Incoming Dragons coach Shane Flanagan is due to meet Hunt on Monday to discuss his plans for the club and attempt to appease his skipper.

In the meantime, the NRL has taken an interest in the situation given there are strict rules around when a club can negotiate with a player and what they can discuss.

While Hunt has been heavily linked with the Titans, Brisbane coach Kevin Walters on Thursday night suggested the Broncos would be interested in talking to the Queensland hooker should he receive a release from the Dragons.

The Broncos, however, would appear outside hopes given their former half is on big money and they have Adam Reynolds at the club.

Reynolds is in talks to extend his tenure at Red Hill until 2025. Walters’ son Billy Walters has made the hooker role his own this season, however back-up dummy half Cory Paix was recently dropped and rising star Blake Mozer is still developing in the Hostplus Cup.

The club also needs to keep money up their sleeve to extend the contract of prop Payne Haas, who is expected to become a million dollar player as part of his next contract.

A 16 Origin and 10 Test representative star, Hunt would command a healthy salary but the Broncos had $1.3 million set aside in next year’s salary cap for Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler, who both defected to the Dolphins.

Ben Hunt has requested a release from the Dragons.

Regardless, Donaghy was flabbergasted by the NRL’s inquiry and it is understood he responded by asking them whether they would investigate claims that incoming Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall had contacted Jock Madden, who is under contract at the Broncos for another season.

The Dolphins are not in the race for Hunt and the Cowboys are settled in the halves and hooker department. It is understood the Dolphins were also bemused by the email from the NRL.

The Titans are in the box seat to sign Hunt, although they have had a change of coach this week after sacking Justin Holbrook.

Des Hasler will officially take over at the end of the season, although he is likely to spend coming months working on his roster for when he arrives.

Hunt would be a welcome addition to work alongside Hasler disciple Kieran Foran, giving the Titans an experienced halves combination to lead the side behind a forward quality pack bursting with State of Origin quality.