St George Illawarra have landed a massive coup in the rebuilding of the club, confirming Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt will join them for the 2018 NRL season on a five-year contract.
The Dragons announced the long-term deal – which is rumoured to be worth around $1 million a year – on Monday, less than six weeks out from the start of the new NRL season.
“We were looking for a really competent, world-class halfback,” Dragons head of recruitment Ian Millward said.
“It was about signing someone who has been a regular halfback and who has played at the highest level and is competent at getting a team around.”
Hunt has played 166 games for Brisbane since his debut in 2009, and enjoyed a breakout year at the Broncos in 2015 when he helped take them to a grand final.
Since then, his partnership with Anthony Milford has been one of the best in the competition, with Hunt alone setting up 52 tries and 50 linebreaks.
“We were looking for a player who has already played Test football,” Milward said.
“He is viewed by his state Queensland and Kevvie Walters his coach as a long-term replacement for some of their superstars who are getting to the back-end of their careers.”
Dragons fans will have to wait another year before Hunt’s arrival though, with the 26-year-old to remain in Brisbane for the final year of his deal.
It means the Dragons will still likely have to call upon Josh McCrone in the No.7 jersey for this season to partner Gareth Widdop, with up-and-coming halfback Drew Hutchinson ruled out for the year with a knee injury.
Meanwhile Hunt will have to wait until round 24 to face his future club, with the Broncos and Dragons meeting just once this year in August, at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Mushi
Guest
Oh I agree it's fair market now, I just think if you're of the view that the cap continues to grow then these 5 yr deals at fair market today end up being bargain buys in 3 years.
terrence
Guest
No. I never fly Jetstar. Ever.
terrence
Guest
"three solid internationals"? Dugan went great for Australia but at a club level, at best he has been either "hot or cold'', more often injury prone luke warm, trouble-maker at best. He isn't a brilliant fullback, or centre, he earns too much (let's face it, he is off contract and already sooking like the over inflated self-opinionated pig he is about being signed ASAP, yet, no ones come-a-running, from anywhere). Someone needs to move on pay for hunts contract (plus others heading in), he's first cab off that rank. Widdop, shopped back to his homeland (though having been here since 16) off contract this year. Been average at the dragons but on good coin. Can't blame Benji for everything. Widdop is very lazy in general and off contract after 2017, super league here he comes, hunts contract paid for by saying goodbye to dugan/widdop. (even old man bennett won't touch those two. benji? that's an experiment (we all suspects what the findings will be). Jason Nightingale. Legend for the Saints and NZ. Off contract at the year at 31 years of age. He should be chaired from the Gong, to Kogarah, put on a flight and be chaired around NZ. Brilliant player for a long time, but off contract at 31, I suspect he will pull the pin (or go to the ESL).. Me, go to the UK? Been there, done that, great place, great people. I'm sure GT will enjoy his time there as well.
terrence
Guest
A work contract (i.e. salary!) is not the same as buying a material possession (house/car/washing machine) or signing a servicing contract (i.e. telephone plan, super, life insurance, etc.)! They have time to decide before signing, it’s that simple! They have a limited chance to earn (in some cases decent) money. Let them do the best they can for themselves. Gee whiz, “not at the business end of the season''? Clubs are finalising 2018 rosters now openly, 2019 secretly (most probably between now and grand final day?). The rule of final year on your contract before you can sign with another club etc. is a joke played on the supporter/punter at their expense (fortunately at a $0 net cost). Enjoy being lied to if you want to keep this charade going. Make it open slather, transparent, that way all the folk won't feel betrayed when ''rising star'' or ''potential one club man'' (they sound like American Indian names) sign to another nrl club/ESL/Rugby (local/france/japan/uk). Let's face it, half of the fun of supporting a sport is the off-field soap opera (player movements, indiscretions, internal squabbles, etc.). Like any entertainment, it needs drama (i.e. conflict) and let’s face it, the NRL is the goddam best drama in this country. Hallelujah.
terrence
Guest
If your a dragons supporter, you'll be in luck.
Jacko
Guest
I'd rather have Des than Cleary...any day
Jacko
Guest
I believe Widdop is the major hurdle in the Dragons becoming a successful team.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
So now you want to flick three solid International players. Dugan's just played a stellar hand in The Aussie's campaign in The Four Nations. Widdop's been ruderless without a decent halfback, but should come good. Nightingale was next to useless last year, and has lost the extra yard of pace required at the top level. Jason - it's time to call the UK home with your good mate Tooves. You should jump on a flight and join them.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Who are these sources Terrence? Was it Geoff Toovey, whilst you were shopping at Bakers Delight for a crusty loaf on your way to The TAB before making your way to the Jetstar Lounge to sip on a spritzer before flying to Melbourne?
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
You sign up to buy a house, you get 14 days cooling off IIRC. You buy a car, you get 10 days fro memeory. Pretty similiar in 99% of the cases its amassive decision. I have no problem with a 10 day cooling off period. I dont mind there being a period where you cant sign, specifically from July 1st to the day after the GF becuase thats the business end of the season and I would like everyone to focus on the field not whos moving there.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That's a fair call on both counts. I don't have a problem with the $$ even if the cap were to stay at 10M per year. I don't think that's a lot to lay out on a 7. His signing will also help with retention and recruitment. It's better that the club try and fix their problem rather than bumbling through another couple of seasons. 2017 was always going to be a long year for dragons fans but at least there's something to look forward to now.
Mushi
Guest
Generally you can't discuss prior to the period opens or a short time before hand.
Agent11
Guest
maybe he was implying the previous halfback was incompetent
terrence
Guest
I don't even understand the 10 day cooling off period. You've had the offer(s) put to you, you take time to make your decision (how many days does that take?), you decide, you sign, contract gets registered. It's all the silly rules that make it less transparent and melodramatic. Make it more open and transparent by players being able to sign whenever.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I hope it works out for the Dragons. Hunt is a good player and I do rate him but I'm not sure he is worth that price. I guess they just had to take whoever was available. Interested to see how he works with Widdop, it might be a great partnership. I think he needs a lot of work on his kicking game though as does Widdop.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Fair point, probably would make it better. Can ckubs talk to players before hand or is it only allowed to be during that period. One would laos wonder if this makes it so the players current club gets first crack, and if they dont want them, it is known by the time the transfer window rolls around and said player is a free agent. With the increased liquidity in contracts these days this would probably work better.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
You only have a 10 day cooling off period now. BEn Hunt signed this contract 10 days ago and now its official. Much better than June 30.
Mushi
Guest
The NRLPA pushed back on that saying that effectively means you are restricted from finding employment whislt still employed. Becuase it is a restraint you need the players to agree to the frame work or try and play the game of chicken of proving the restraint is reasonable in the courts.
Mushi
Guest
To be honest it would be very difficult to get to the NRL level if you also weren't naturally comeptitive, so the risk of him just slacking seems low. Did you see his reaction after droppping the grnad final? Didn't look like a guy just there to collect a pay check. Also if you are clearly slacking your duties then you can be terminated with cause.
Mushi
Guest
I think we only remember the ones that don't work, and probably only the more marignal ones get the air time as well. 5 years if the cap continues to rise, will be a decent bargain at the back end./