Hunt pinpoints Reece Walsh issue as rivals respond to $1.4m snub

Ben Hunt has identified the need to get Reece Walsh more quality ball in better positions ahead of his arrival at the Brisbane Broncos. New coach Michael Maguire got his man this week when the 34-year-old Hunt agreed to re-join the Broncos on a two-year deal. Hunt started his career at the Broncos before leaving to join the Dragons, but is returning to where it all began in 2025. The addition of the veteran half/hooker makes the Broncos a formidable force heading into next season, with a spine of Walsh, Ezra Mam (when he returns), Adam Reynolds and Hunt enough to strike fear into any opponent. And whether Hunt is playing halfback or hooker, he's well aware that the ball he provides for Walsh will be pivotal to the Broncos' chances. “I’m really excited to be playing with a guy like Reece, he is a freakish talent with speed to burn,” Hunt told News Corp this week. “I’m looking forward to working on our game plans with ‘Reyno’ (Reynolds) because between us two old heads, we can steer the ship around and bring the best out in Reece and the rest of the side. “Reece has unleashed himself pretty well the last few years, but any way I can come in, get him more involved in the game and get him more quality ball in better positions, I think I can help him with that. We (Hunt and Reynolds) can be very beneficial for the side and I’d love to help the younger guys take their game to another level, Reece included.” Hunt has first-hand experience of how damaging Walsh can be, with the pair serving as Queensland teammates in State of Origin for the last two years. And Hunt appears well aware that the Broncos' chances might live and die on how much quality ball he can get to the dynamite fullback.

Dragons relegated below Wests Tigers in embarrassing new blow

The Ben Hunt effect is already being felt ahead of the 2025 NRL premiership, with his exit from St George Illawarra relegating the Dragons to wooden spoon favourites while elevating new club Brisbane. The NSW TAB has opened the Dragons up at $5 to suffer the most losses next season and finish bottom of the ladder. They sit on the last line of betting ($67) to win the competition despite an improved performance under Shane Flanagan this year. Punters believe Hunt's departure – along with Zac Lomax's exit – will be too much to overcome despite the Red V luring rep trio Damien Cook, Clint Gutherson and Val Holmes to the club. In stark contrast, the Broncos are now the third best-backed side following news of Hunt's return to Brisbane. TAB spokesman Rohan Welsh told Yahoo Sport Australia: "The Tigers went up as the longest odds to win the premiership but that changed as soon as Ben Hunt was officially signed by Brisbane. "We then pushed the Dragons' price out as a reflection of where we now see them without Hunt. We think they’re going to miss him and Lomax and that it's going to take time for Cook, Gutherson and Holmes to bed in. "There are also concerns over their forward rotation while the signing of Lachlan Ilias has not really shifted things. Those concerns are reflected in the most losses (wooden spoon) market. The Tigers have been (spoon) favourites the last few years but the Dragons currently occupy that spot. There could be a lot of change to the premiership and wooden spoon market after the first month of the competition."

Broncos make 'off the salary cap' move to snare Ben Hunt as NRL rivals offer $1.4 million

The Brisbane Broncos have reportedly offered Ben Hunt a job after his football career in a last-ditch attempt to lure him home. And crucially, it means they might not have to pay him as much to get the deal over the line. Hunt is the hottest free agent on the NRL's open market after the Dragons agreed to release him from the final year of his $950,000 deal. The Broncos, Dolphins, Bulldogs and Roosters are believed to be in a four-horse race to snare the veteran halfback, although the Bulldogs and Roosters' interest has reportedly cooled. It was reported two weeks ago that Hunt's preference was to remain in Sydney so he didn't have to uproot his young family and change his kids' schools. However the Roosters and Bulldogs are both said to have reservations about Hunt's price tag and the fact he'll be 35 by the time the 2025 season starts. The NRL is unlikely to allow a team to sign Hunt for significantly less than the $950,000 he was on at the Dragons, with estimates placing him in the $700,000 - $800,000 range. According to News Corp, the Dolphins have offered Hunt $1.4 million - $800,000 for 2025 and $600,000 for 2026.

League great reveals 'risk' in potential Hunt move

Broncos great Corey Parker has questioned why rival clubs would entertain signing Ben Hunt, admitting there is "risk attached" when it comes to the wantaway Dragons star. The 34-year-old has a year to run on his deal with St George Illawarra, but the club told him recently they would not be offering him an extension. Hunt had a poor end to the season as the Red V missed out on the finals, before copping some criticism from Shane Flanagan during a performance review. The halfback will hit the open market on November 1 for the 2026 season, but there's still a strong chance Hunt pushes for an early release. Speaking on SEN radio, one of his former teammates at Red Hill in Parker brought up the fact that Hunt would be 36 years of age by the time a potential move rolls around and doesn't believe many clubs would want to fork out big money for a short-term deal. "Ben Hunt is trying to get an extension at the moment with the Dragons ... Shane Flanagan and the Dragons are currently holding out and rightly so," he said. "He's on contract for next year, he's looking for an extension for 2026 where he will be 36 years of age on big money. I think Flanagan may be doing the right thing by not going for Ben Hunt but does that mean he goes to the open market? "There's a risk attached to that and I am one of Hunt's biggest fans but there is certainly risk attached to a 36-year-old halfback. "You have to understand why you are bringing in a player and what you want to achieve out of them. It would only be for one year because I can't see Hunt playing beyond 36. "Father Time catches up with you very quickly and it could come in the space of one small injury." Hunt has been among the Dragons' best players for a number of years, but during his big-money tenure at the club, they have only won one finals game. The issue for Flanagan as it stands is their lack of depth in the halves, with his son Kyle failing to prove his worth as a long-term solution, while young gun Lykhan King-Togia has only played a handful of first grade games. The captaincy may be less of a concern for the Dragons heading into next year, with star back-rower Jaydn Su'A inking an extension and emerging as a leader within the squad. Hunt addressed his future during Kangaroos camp last week and said he remains open to finishing his career in Queensland.

Ben Hunt and Shane Flanagan's relationship 'unworkable' as ugly new details come to light

Ben Hunt's relationship with Shane Flanagan is reportedly at the point of no return following a brutal end-of-season review. The Dragons captain is expected set to voluntarily relinquish his captaincy ahead of next season and there are widespread reports the halfback may never play for the Red V again. Hunt endured a tough season in the NRL in 2024 and came under fire for his side's late-season collapse that saw them drop out of the top eight and miss out on playing finals footy. In the Dragons' season review Hunt, whose contract is worth over $1 million a season, was told "his performances – including his defence, kicking game and leadership – when his team’s finals hopes hung in the balance were not befitting of his standing in the side". And according to SMH’s Danny Weidler, Hunt was deeply hurt and offended at being 'salary shamed'. "It has been several weeks now since we revealed that Ben Hunt’s salary was thrown in his face during his season review. There has been no denial from the Dragons in that time," Weidler wrote in an SMH column on Saturday. "The situation is unworkable and the best thing is for Hunt to walk away from the club. You will remember Hunt was forced to stay when he asked for an early release last year. Then at the end of the season he was criticised for being on a big contract. It feels like the time is up on the relationship between player and club, and a fresh start for both is needed." Weidler also noted that Hunt felt singled out due to the widespread praise his fellow playmaker Kyle Flanagan received. The No.7's situation at the Red V has also led rugby league great Andrew Johns to form the opinion that he won't play another game for the Dragons. The Knights legend suggested a three-way move with Hunt to the Titans, Gold Coast hooker Sam Verrills to the Roosters to cover the injured Brandon Smith and Storm utility Tyran Wishart to the Dragons could solve several issues. “I’ve heard Sam Verrills may be going back to the Roosters … have a look at Brandon Smith, he won’t play until mid-next year,” Johns said on WWOS’ Freddy and the Eighth. “So that opens the way for Ben Hunt to go to the Titans.

Joey drops Hunt shock in surprise three-club switch

Andrew Johns has dropped a bombshell on St George Illawarra as the club licks its wounds following a dismal end to the NRL season. The Dragons lost five of their last seven games to drop outside the competition's top eight and miss finals in Shane Flanagan's first year as coach. Flanagan began his tenure in Wollongong with a win when he convinced wantaway star Ben Hunt to stick with the club. Veteran playmaker Hunt had been agitating for a release, given a desire to move back to Queensland with his family. He eventually relented and agreed to play 2024 in the Red V. It ended in the same fashion all but one of his seven seasons with the team have - without a finals appearance. The 34-year-old is contracted for 2025 but Johns very much doubts Hunt will be at the Dragons by the time next season starts. "Do you think Ben Hunt will be there next year? No," Johns told Wide World of Sports' Freddy and the Eighth. And the catalyst for Hunt's departure could be a long-term injury to Roosters star Brandon Smith. But Hunt won't be heading to Bondi - according to Johns - rather to the Titans to replace hooker Sam Verrills. "I've heard Sam Verrills may be going back to the Roosters... have a look at Brandon Smith, he won't play until mid-next year," Johns said. "So that opens the way for Ben Hunt to go to the Titans. "Because Ben Hunt has been (saying) the last couple of years 'I want to go back to Queensland'. "Yeah, I do (think they will let him go)." Verrills, 25, began his NRL career with the Roosters but moved to the Gold Coast two years ago when the Sydney club recruited Smith to wear the No.9. Smith ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee last week and will miss at least half of next NRL season as he recovers. As for the Dragons, Johns is confident the club is prepared to release Hunt from the final year of his deal as the Red V chases Storm utility Tyran Wishart. "They are chasing Tyran Wishart, so maybe Tyran can play five-eighth. I can see Tyran, I think his best position is at hooker," Johns said.

Hunt leading competition for selfless act

There's a Dally M statue for the top point-scorer and top try-scorer every season. But there is no reward for perhaps the most telling stat in rugby league - try assists. And leading the way in 2024 is Dragons' magician Ben Hunt, who took his tally to 26 as he steered the Red V to a vital 32-16 win over the Titans in Wollongong. Hunt's ability to control a game - and put teammates over the tryline - is the big reason the Dragons look set to play finals footy next month. The Maroons' Origin star is in career-best form - even though he is yearning for a return home to Queensland. It's a testament to Hunt's professionalism that despite his differences with the club over the past couple of years, he has been so dominant on the field. The 34-year-old is shaping up as one of the real danger men of the final series.

Ben Hunt drops retirement bombshell in staggering admission about Dragons future

Dragons veteran Ben Hunt says he is weighing up retiring at the end of next season. St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan previously revealed that he'd sat down with Hunt to discuss a one-year extension, with Hunt's current deal running until the end of the club’s 2025 NRL campaign. And while the halfback insists he is happy at the Red V, he is unsure if he wants to play on in 2026. Speaking to Jake Duke on Fox League's Face to Face, Hunt said at 34 he feels he is nearing the end of his NRL career. "To be honest I’m still on the fence about it (the new Dragons deal) and not on the fence with the club and whether I want to leave or not," Hunt said. "It’s more about my future and how much longer I’ve got left in this game. I’m 34 now and have played a hell of a lot of footy. While I’m still enjoying my footy it’s not getting easier, I don’t want to rush into anything.” However, Hunt knows he doesn't have the luxury of time when it comes to deciding whether or not to take the contract extension with the Dragons as the club is in the midst of a roster overhaul under Shane Flanagan. “I definitely don’t think (I’ll make my decision) next year, it will be before that, the club’s I think in a position where they are looking to grow and make some moves in our roster to bring some players in," Hunt continued. “So I don’t want to leave them in limbo for too long. So I will get that sorted out at some stage, but I just want to not rush into something that I’m not 100 per cent in.”

'Answer' to life after Hunt

Could a Welsh international halfback be the answer to life after Ben Hunt for the Dragons? Josh Ralph, a 26-year-old journeyman, has been killing it for the Dragons in the NSW Cup with eight try assists in four games to date this season. With Hunt's future at the club always under scrutiny, there are some at the Dragons who feel the Queensland-born player could be the next man up. Ralph has plenty of experience - he's played for Tweed Heads Seagulls, the Knights and Titans in the Holden Cup, Norths and Mounties in the NSW Cup, and Easts Tigers in the Queensland Cup. He also had a season with Toulouse Olympique in France, scoring 14 tries in 20 games. Throw in seven Tests for Wales - his grandmother was Welsh - and you've got a player who has really done the rounds. He may well get his NRL chance when Hunt is off with Queensland during the State of Origin period and the Dragons won't be the only ones watching - Ralph is off contract and getting plenty of interest.

Intriguing backline switch to make or break Dragons

You've got to feel for Kyle Flanagan - the kid has been under scrutiny all his career and that will only intensify ten-fold as he plays under his dad Shane at the new-look Dragons. Kyle may well have started the year at hooker - where he would have been under less pressure - had the Dragons completed the signing of five-eighth Ronald Volkman from the Warriors. But Volkman failed a medical, the deal fell through and Kyle will be in the hot seat at five-eighth, sharing the playmaking duties with the Dragons' main man Ben Hunt. The fullback spot is the most contentious in the Dragons side - Tyrell Sloan will get the first crack at it and while he has the ability to win games, he can also lose them with poor defence and when his concentration wavers. Another player who can be hot and cold - Zac Lomax - will get his chance in the number one jumper at some stage of the season but will likely have to bide his time on the wing with Jack Bird and Moses Suli set to start the season as coach Flanagan's preferred centres. Raymond Faitala-Mariner is another newcomer and a player I believe will be highly effective off the bench. He has the size and power to break the line and will be the perfect guy to bring on late in a tight game. Hunt says he has resolved his differences with the club and may enjoy a fresh start under Flanagan senior - but somehow I still believe he will return to Queensland at season's end.

'Would do it differently': Hunt admits contract 'regrets'

Ben Hunt has conceded there are "regrets" over how he managed a release request from St George Illawarra last year. In one of the biggest off-field stories of 2023, the veteran halfback tried multiple times to break his lucrative Dragons deal amid a period of turmoil at the club. The club axed coach Anthony Griffin in May, leaving Hunt without the man he had publicly supported for the past 18 months. That triggered a desire in the 33-year-old to pack his bags and head home to Queensland, and he was linked to several northern clubs. Even the appointment of Shane Flanagan to the coaching chair wasn't enough to quell Hunt's festering distrust of club management. It took Flanagan several conversations to convince the halfback to stay. "There's regrets about parts of it," Hunt told 9News of the saga. "In a way I'm happy there were some things that came to a head. "It definitely could have been handled better, that's for sure. "It's been a long couple of years and it all sort of compounded into a couple of little things that ticked it off at the end. "If I could take the time back I would do it differently." Hunt remains contracted to the Dragons for the next two seasons, and looks committed to at least seeing out 2024.

'Any team': Fresh Hunt comments darken Dragons future

Ben Hunt claims he still wants to captain the Dragons despite openly admitting he would rather not be at the club.The veteran halfback requested a release from his contract this year, which still ties him to St George Illawarra for the 2024 and 2025 NRL seasons.Hunt has made no bones of the fact he wants to move back to Queensland, and drew interest from the Broncos, Titans, and Dolphins upon that revelation.While incoming coach Shane Flanagan has convinced the 33-year-old to remain at the Red V for now, Hunt told Triple M radio this week it's "not my first choice".He even revealed he would consider retirement if the Dragons refuse to release him next year - but he wants to remain captain as long as he is at the club."It (retirement) definitely pops into your head," Hunt said."It's an option considering I'm at the back end of my career, it's not far away, but once you retire you are done and I'm not ready to retire yet."I have some good footy left in me, so that's not an option."At this stage, I'm a Dragon and going into pre-season that's all I will think about."If the club thinks that someone else can do a better job than me (at being captain), I understand and accept that... but as long as the club wants me there I'll be happy to do it."Hunt played the first 187 games of his NRL career at the Broncos and led the team to the 2015 grand final, before leaving to join the Dragons in 2018.

Kyle Flanagan over Ben Hunt?

So what will new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan do with his utility signing, son Kyle Flanagan?The youngster's preferred position is at halfback but he can also play five-eighth and hooker.The problem is Shane already has one of the best halves in the game in Ben Hunt.His plan I'm hearing is to play Kyle at No.7 and Hunt at No.6 - and I'm not sure how that will go down with Hunt, who is already unhappy at the Dragons and wanting out.Kyle's signing hasn't gone down well with all Dragons fans - at least one has written to the club handing back his membership while fan sites have been scathing on the coach's decision to bring his boy onboard.With Kyle Flanagan signing up at the Dragons, the club is looking to move on promising playmaker Junior Amone.The Raiders showed some interest in Amone - a guy with some smart tricks with the ball - as a replacement for the departing Jack Wighton.But after doing their due diligence, the Raiders decided Amone wasn't a good fit and have dropped off the chase.

Dragons coach tees off on Hunt excuse

The Dragons' shocking on-field performances in the past two weeks have "nothing to do" with the ongoing saga surrounding Ben Hunt, interim coach Ryan Carr said. The Red V's 52-16 flogging at the hands of Cronulla at Shark Park on Thursday night pushed their conceded points from the last two rounds to 100.Despite the evidence suggesting otherwise, Carr insisted the club had "moved on" from the saga which has dominated headlines the past fortnight since the skipper requested an immediate release from the club with more than two years remaining on his contract."It's got nothing to do with Ben and his off-field stuff, it's got everything to do with all of us involved in the club and it's going to take all of us to fight our way out of it. "It's pretty easy (to block out the noise) – we don't even talk about it at training."We've got a group there that have got each other's back and we're not going to allow things like that to be excuses."Excuses are everywhere around you – and you can find as many as you want – but it's up to us not to look at them, but to look in the mirror and find the answer within ourselves."Hunt himself had an abnormally quiet night, highlighted by a second-half failure to find touch from a penalty.Dragons gun Jack de Belin described his side's performance as "embarrassing"."I'm bitterly disappointed, embarrassed, it's just not good enough," he told Danika Mason on Nine's coverage."Especially after last week, we had a real point to prove, come out and do a job ... we did start well but we knew if we gave them too much good ball they've got too much strike power in attack so that's super embarrassing."The Dragons remain anchored to the bottom of the ladder, with the second-worst points differential in the competition.

Dragons call emergency meeting over Hunt exit

The Dragons have called an emergency meeting of all players and staff on Monday morning, where it is expected they will be told that skipper Ben Hunt is leaving the club.The decision will end weeks of discontent between Hunt and the Dragons after the star utility made the shock announcement that he wanted out.The Dragons were hoping that the decision to appoint the controversial Shane Flanagan as coach would sway Hunt to change his mind about quitting.But Hunt has stubbornly refused to alter his stance and the Dragons are believed to have decided there is no point keeping a disgruntled player - even if he is their marquee man.Hunt is expected to play out this season with his former club, the Broncos, before signing a rich deal with the Titans for 2024 and beyond.Hunt's last game was Friday night's dismal home loss to the Warriors, in which television images after the match showed him sitting alone and unhappy in a corner of the dressing room.

Upside To Dragons Saga

The Dragons may be in danger of losing marquee man Ben Hunt, but there is a major plus side to Shane Flanagan's appointment as coach.It ensures star utility Jack Bird, who has wanted out himself several times over the past season (despite denials) will now stay at the club.Bird is a big Flanagan fan, having played under the controversial coach in Cronulla's lone premiership success in 2016.The classy utility played his best football in his time at Cronulla under Flanagan and is one man delighted with the Dragons' choice of coach.

Gould's Hunt answer to make Dragons nervous

Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould did not shut down talk of Canterbury being interested in disgruntled St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt when quizzed on Monday night.The Bulldogs and Titans appear to be the most likely of rival clubs to snare Hunt's signature after the Queensland State of Origin champion last week rocked the Dragons with a request of an immediate release.Hunt is contracted to the Dragons until the end of 2025, but he's warring with the club after Anthony Griffin was sacked as coach in May.The 33-year-old is also in opposition to playing at hooker, which some key figures at the Dragons want to happen so young guns Jayden Sullivan and Talatau Amone can pair up in the halves.Hunt wants to flee St George Illawarra despite the efforts of incoming coach Shane Flanagan to ensure he remains in the Red V.While the Dragons rejected Hunt's release request, there's still a considerable chance of the veteran halfback departing. Another club could fork out, a swap deal could be the answer or Hunt may even dig into his own pockets to force his way out.When Gould was asked on Nine's 100% Footy on Monday night if the Bulldogs were entertaining the prospect of signing Hunt, the club's general manager of football said: "I think everyone's watching this space"."You go out and try to buy a halfback," Gould added."There aren't many around. There are none around, there are none around. And they're pretty expensive if you want to buy a good one. I think everyone's watching this space."But until that's sorted out between the Dragons and Ben Hunt, it's a waste of time."Gould also said he did not know why Hunt had requested an immediate release from the Dragons."I don't know what is at the core of his motivation," Gould said.

Dragons captain's 1997 throwback

Ben Hunt copied the most famous play of Andrew Johns' career to steer the Dragons to their epic win over the Roosters on Friday night.In the last play of the 1997 grand final, Joey wrote his name into the game's folklore by rolling the dice, going himself down the blindside and putting Knights team-mate Darren Albert over for the try that decided the premiership against Manly.And on Friday night, Hunt took a similar gamble against the Roosters, charging down the same right-hand blindside and putting in a kick.Another Dragons kick and winger Mathew Feagai scored a miraculous try - also on the very last play of the game - to give the Dragons a memorable 24-22 victory over the Roosters.Hunt would have been seven years old when Johns performed his heroics… and maybe the memory came flooding back as he set the Dragons on course for an unlikely win.

St George Illawarra's stunning form reversal

The Dragons produced a 58-point turnaround within the space of six days over the weekend.Thrashed by Cronulla the previous game, they hit back with a vengeance, humbling the Dolphins 38-12.And the unsung hero of the fine victory was prop Blake Lawrie.You won't see the chunky front-rower's name in the headlines in a team that contains brilliant attacking weapons like Ben Hunt, Tyrell Sloan and Zac Lomax.But make no mistake, Lawrie is a key man for the Dragons and his grunt work up the middle laid the foundations for the big win.Lawrie ran for over 150 metres against the Dolphins and scored a try - and while he gets little ink in the papers, he is greatly appreciated by his teammates.

Furious Dragons skipper hits out at 'mole' claims

Dragons skipper Ben Hunt has denied suggestions there's a leak in the playing group after details of the incident between Mikaele Ravalawa and Zane Musgrove at the team's hotel in Mudgee were released to members of the media.The club had a less than ideal start to the year, with both Talatau Amone and Francis Molo involved in off-field controversies, and now allegations the teammates had an altercation at the team hotel after an embarrassing loss to South Sydney in the Charity Shield.Following details of the incident popping up in the media, club legend James Graham blamed "snitches" in the team for stirring up more drama.But Hunt pushed back against the claims."Everything seems to get out these days. It doesn't matter what happens – you can't keep it quiet," he said."I don't think there's a mole in the group. I don't think there's anyone that's intentionally gone out and ratted the club out. It's just something that happens these days."It's been a rough couple of years for Dragons supporters as the club's discipline on and off the field has let them down.Players were caught breaking COVID-19 stay at home orders when they had a barbeque that resulted in hefty fines and suspensions being handed down. Then reports emerged of only a handful of players attending last year's presentation night after missing the finals for the fourth consecutive year."I really don't have a problem with the culture here," Hunt said.