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.

'Adored' Dally M winner's bombshell NRL return

Wide World of Sports told you it was on two months ago - and now it's happened.Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is coming back to the NRL with the Warriors.The club is expected to make a formal announcement on Thursday night that their former inspirational skipper is returning to league after two mixed seasons in Kiwi rugby union.The development is the latest skirmish in the cross-code war that has seen rugby union poach Roosters star Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for 2025 and chase several other league stars.It's a major coup for the Warriors - Tuivasa-Sheck is regarded as one of the most respected sportsmen in New Zealand and is adored by fans of both codes.His two-year contract with the Auckland Blues expires at the end of this season.The Dally M Medallist in 2018, he is set to sign a one-year deal with the Warriors but is likely to extend that down the track.

Lockyer's reality check in $1m Wighton pursuit

League legend Darren Lockyer has cautioned the NRL's newest team on breaking the bank to secure the services of Jack Wighton.Wighton sent the player market into a frenzy last week when he opted not to activate a contract clause with the Raiders for 2024.It instantly made him a free agent, and a number of clubs registered their interest in the 2020 Dally M Medallist.Leading the pack was the Dolphins, and supercoach Wayne Bennett confirmed they could spend upwards of $1 million a season to nab Wighton if they wanted to.Bennett was knocked back by a number of marquee players as he was building the club's inaugural roster - led by Cameron Munster and Kalyn Ponga.Wighton would certainly bring starpower to the club, but the question is where he would fit into Bennett's side.The 30-year-old plays five-eighth for the Raiders, but was formally a full-time fullback, and also plays at centre or off the bench at representative level."Jack is a quality player," Lockyer told Wide World of Sports' QLDER."I guess we don't know what their cap looks like, but if you could get him without breaking the bank... if you pay too much for Jack, it impacts you holding onto some of the younger kids coming through, then that's a bit different."If you can afford him and you can fit him into your team, well he is a quality player."The Dolphins have at least one of their long-term halves spots locked up, with teen star Isaiya Katoa showing his class since being handed a shock round one debut by Bennett.Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was brought to the club as its first-choice fullback, and at 21-years-old is still considered a raw talent with huge upside.The Dolphins have also signed Herbie Farnworth to be one of their centres from next season, and will be forking out plenty of money for he and fellow 2024 recruit Thomas Flegler."Katoa, they've shown they believe in him as a six. And they just signed Herbie, and it's very hard to fit two high-paid centres in your roster," Lockyer said.