Ben Hunt has pledged his future to St George Illawarra, declaring that his long-running contract saga with the club will be ended before a ball is kicked in 2023.
Speaking after the Dragons’ final game, a 22-12 victory in which he secured another 3 Dally M points, he gave his most comprehensive statement yet that he is to stay in Sydney and reject the overtures of the Dolphins, with whom he has been heavily linked.
“The season is over now, so we’ll get it sorted,” said Hunt. “It will be sorted before next season.”
The halfback would be free to speak to other clubs after November 1, when it was expected that Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins would come in with an offer for the 32-year-old Queenslander to return home to finish his career.
“It’s definitely a possibility. I informed the club we’d wait until the season was over and then get it sorted.”
Dragons coach Anthony Griffin reiterated the desire of the club to keep their star man on board.
“He’s our captain and halfback and we’ll do everything we can,” he told the media conference. “I know he wants to stay, and we’ll do whatever we’ve got to do to get that done now.
“Over 25 rounds the points tell the picture, there’s no way to hide in the NRL, and he’s been outstanding individually and outstanding as a leader for our club.
“It’s unfortunate we won’t play in the play-offs, but having him as our captain and leader, it gives us a real purpose and an arrowhead there we can all build around.”
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Hunt was topping the Dally M leaderboard with 19 votes when it went dark after Round 16. His nearest rivals were Isaah Yeo, who has missed fixtures due to squad rotation on 17, Nicho Hynes on 16 and Mitchell Moses and Ryan Papenhuyzen on 15 – though the latter two have missed significant game time with injuries.
Muzz
Guest
Ben Hunts salary isn't limiting the development of young players. Paying overs for average players like Lomax $700k a year, Bird $500k a year. Mcguire $500k a year, Mbye $700k a year etc etc is madness and poor cap management. This is a large part of the problem. Hunt would be the perfect mentor for young talented players coming through but first you need to cut off all the dead wood. That includes the coach!
max power
Guest
whats the difference between coming 10th and 16th? 16th is better because you might actually be developing some talent
Dodgy Dragons
Roar Rookie
Personally I’d like Hunt to extend and move to 9. Help guide young Sullivan in at 7 and because we are stuck with him, Mbye in a permanent 14 jumper to assist. (Should have been happening this season) If he goes, we need to move heaven and earth to get a 9, someone like Robson and back Sullivan in the 7. Either way I’d be locking Sullivan in now as there isn’t many quality halves available. I hope he stays, because if he goes, dragons without B Hunt will be Tigeresque for a few years. As a supporter I can wear losing if there is a plan, and the players are putting the effort in to work towards a certain outcome (like the cowboys ), but Griffin and the dragons hierarchy don’t fill me with any confidence whatsoever
Muzz
Guest
Dragons may have won the wooden spoon without Hunt. He is worth the big money! I'm guessing they're paying overs for average players. Poor cap management.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
I dont see anything in Hunt's comments that correlates to staying at the dragons. My gut is that he will be Bennett's marquee signing and we will be looking for a hb. Might as well give the young bloke a go and use the money to buy a captain
Bernie
Roar Rookie
"arrowhead to build around" - what sort of gibberish is that. if we're talking arrows, i'd like to see the "shaft" come into play for hook.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Dragons have two choices . Keep Hunt and stay there abouts or roll the dice which maybactually be better long term. Now some Dragons fans may say roll the dice . But are they really willing to risk finishing 14th. Just about every single good thing the Dragons do comes from Hunt .
Bernie
Roar Rookie
no thanks, pass.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Benny is a smooth talking used car salesman. He might just have enough sugar to convince him to fly north and be the Dolphins inaugural captain. If the Sainfs lose Hunt, they will probably go after Shaun Johnson.
andrew
Roar Rookie
I'd like to see Hunt stay. In saying that nothing will change for the Dragons as long as Griffin remains coach. The management who extended Griffin's contract before the season even started should be held to account. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Saints are going nowhere with Hook at the helm. Sack him.