'All-important' question with Sharks star's future in doubt

Sharks fans should know within the opening six rounds of the new season whether their team has what it takes to be genuine contenders in 2025. After making the top four last year and being knocked out by the champion Penrith team, the Sharks have arguably the toughest early draw in the league. They meet their nemesis, Penrith, again in Vegas to kick their campaign off, followed by the Cowboys in Townsville, Wayne Bennett's rebuilt Bunnies, the improved Bulldogs, Canberra in the ACT and the dangerous Manly in round six. Running the gauntlet so early will be hard - but it means Craig Fitzgibbon's men can assess where they are and look forward to some 'easier' games down the track. Much of the Sharks' hopes revolve around marquee signing Addin Fonua-Blake from the Warriors. If he can rediscover his best football, the big man will add genuine strike power to an already formidable pack capable of pushing around any forward outfit in the NRL on their day. There will be much interest in how the halves play for the Sharks in the new season. When Nicho Hynes was out injured and then lost his way in 2024, Braydon Trindall took over the playmaking role and was among the form halves in the premiership in the big games. With Hynes fit again, will he play second fiddle to Trindall as he did late last season, or will Fitzgibbon give him first use of the football again? Overall, a well-balanced squad with the speed and power in the backline to back up the go-forward of the pack … A real chance for a second NRL title if things go well.

2025 gains - Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors), Hohepa Puru (Raiders)

2025 losses - Jack Williams (Eels), Royce Hunt (Wests Tigers), Siteni Taukamo (Knights)

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.

Real reason Ryles snubbed 'stubborn' Dragons

Jason Ryles knocked back the Dragons coaching job on Wednesday because the club refused to allow him to oversee all areas of football operations.A source close to the Dragons has told Wide World of Sports that Ryles wanted a Wayne Bennett-like situation where he had a say in coaching, recruitment and development and had carte blanche to bring in his own team.Ryles had been in talks with the Dragons for several days and was close to signing a four-year deal.But when the club refused to meet his conditions, he baulked at the offer and will now join Melbourne as an assistant coach next season - and wait for Craig Bellamy to retire.A former Dragons star who has served a long apprenticeship in the game at the Roosters and Storm, Ryles would have been a great fit for the Dragons.But the club's stubbornness and refusal to move with the times has now left them back at square one."They let Wayne Bennett run the place and won a comp (in 2010)," a source close to the club said."But everyone is so worried about keeping their own jobs and power that they refused to budge."Another former Dragons star, Ben Hornby, is the new favourite for the job, while there is also a push for ex-Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan.

Hopes of Flanagan move end

Jake Arthur's move to Manly has scuttled any hopes of unwanted Bulldog Kyle Flanagan going to the Sea Eagles.Former Sharks coach Shane Flanagan - now an assistant coach at Brookvale - was keen to get Kyle a start with the club and the Bulldogs would not have stood in his way.But Arthur's move to Manly on Monday means he will fill the extra utility back/halfback role and there is no chance of Flanagan making the switch.The Sea Eagles got Arthur for a bargain price and it is win/win for the promising number seven.He gets a fresh start away from his dad Brad - and that means the barrage of hateful social media he has been copping from so-called 'fans' will come to an end.