NRL 2024: Lachlan Ilias-Jackson Hastings player swap called off, Ben Hunt to hit open market, Dragons target Adam Doueihi

Plans for a proposed player swap between the Knights and Rabbitohs have been called off, while the Dragons are eyeing a Tigers star after Ben Hunt was cleared to test his value on the open market.

Plans for a proposed player swap between Lachie Ilias and Jackson Hastings have ended after talks in recent days.

It is understood the Knights and Souths Sydney were open to the planned switch but those conversations have since broken down.

Ilias reached out to incoming South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett on Wednesday who made it clear there was still future for the young half at the club should be wish to see out his contract.

Bennett had been to sign Hastings having spent time with him during a Great Britain tour in 2019.

Plans for a player swap between Jackson Hastings and Lachlan Ilias have been called off.

Hastings has one year left one his $800,000 contract with the Knights where he was in and out of first grade this year.

Ilias had his own up and down year after being axed from the top grade. He then suffered a serious leg injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

DRAGONS GIVE HUNT PERMISSION TO NEGOTIATE WITH RIVAL CLUBS

Ben Hunt has been given permission to test the open market for 2026 just days after he publicly said the club ‘doesn’t seem overly keen to keep me’.

But that move could be fast-tracked with Hunt still keen on exiting the club before the start of next season.

Hunt’s comments to this masthead sparked the Dragons to allow their skipper to test the open market before the November 1 window opens.

St George Illawarra have indicated to Hunt that they are not in a position to offer him a new deal when his contract expires at the end of 2025.

It is understood Hunt’s camp were less than thrilled with the Dragons timing given he is in camp with the Australian team and the fact the November 1 window is just a little more than two weeks away.

Hunt has had multiple requests for a release knocked back stretching back 12 months. He would still be keen to leave the club and the Dragons may be open to it should they find a suitable option.

Ben Hunt is on his way out of the Dragons - the only issue remains when he leaves. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

“At this stage I’ll be there (next year),” Hunt said to this masthead on Saturday.

“Nothing has changed. I had to get away and freshen up and not think about footy for a while. Unless something extreme happens I’ll probably be there.

“They don’t want to offer me anything so I’ll go to November 1 and see what happens.

“I haven’t shut the doors on anything. The Dragons said they were keen to extend me around April and then they said they’d wait until after Origin.

“Now they want to see how I’m playing next year. It’s all gone quiet and they don’t want to do anything. Doesn’t sound like they are overly keen to keep me.

“I definitely want to play beyond next year.”

The Dragons could make a play for Wests Tigers star Adam Doueihi. Picture: Getty Images

The Dragons have discussed making a play for Tigers utility Adam Doueihi. Doueihi is off-contract on November 1 but the Dragons have expressed an interest in the experienced back. The Dragons would be prepared to sign Doueihi if he could get out immediately.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Lachlan Ilias-Jackson Hastings player swap called off, Ben Hunt to hit open market, Dragons target Adam Doueihi