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Opinion
Speculation in rugby league is always fun, and on rare occasions (compared to the number of articles posted about it), it can become a real-life fairytale. However, the noise around Ben Hunt leaving the dragons is just that, noise, and frankly it is starting to get a little bit embarrassing for those perpetuating it.
It is easy to see why these theories have started. Ben Hunt is a favourite son of Queensland, and his on-field attitude and undeniable skills make him an obvious target for a possible return to the maroon state.
With the addition of another team in his previous city of Brisbane and the departure of Anthony Griffin from the Dragons (a close friend of Hunt’s), the stage is set for a return for the prodigal son, no?
No.
Hunt returning to Queensland should not be on your 2024 bingo card for a few iron-clad reasons. To begin with, he only recently signed a new, two-year contract to stay at the Dragons. Crucially, this contract did not have a clause that allowed him to leave if Griffin was sacked, which is about as blatant a sign that one could get that Hook was about to leave.
Hunt is not stupid, he’s the captain of the club, and he understands football is a business, having seen his fair share of coaches come and go. If he still signed without that clause, he knew the likely outcome and was still happy to agree to terms with the club.
Secondly, he’s been the Dragons’ best and most consistent player for virtually his entire six-year contract. He is their captain and has been for years now. He is a fan favourite, a bastion of wholesomeness in a team that otherwise stinks of trouble and bad attitudes. What on earth would compel St George Illawarra to allow him to leave?
While it may be common for teams to allow some players to break contracts, there are fewer instances of clubs allowing marquee players to leave.
Jack Wighton had to wait out his contract, as did Adam Reynolds and Matt Burton. If it ever came to this point, the Dragons would do everything they could to make Hunt happy and remain, as they should.
In addition to this, what about Hunt’s character would lead you to imagine he would break a contract he has signed? There are few people in the league who you might suggest have more integrity. Even in all the club’s recent controversies, from barbeque-gate to 90 per cent of the players missing their awards ceremony last year, Hunt has quietly kept above it.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
He was at that award ceremony (to receive their player of the year award), and he has always defended the club, players, and staff around him. The idea that he would try and agitate a release from his contract seems absurd.
Finally, if the rumors are true and his salary for his next contract is around $850,000 a year, then one has to ask: do any of those clubs have deeper pockets to lure Hunt away? Especially since he will be 34 next year? Hunt is not going to play for less than that, especially if it involves a lot of effort in moving and relocating his young family.
The Dragons do not have a lot of stars; they could basically provide their halfback a blank cheque to stay, so if they agreed upon that figure, it is likely at the higher end of what clubs would consider paying for Hunt, anyway.
In short, while some fans might want Ben Hunt at their club (who wouldn’t?), the possibility of it happening is so far-fetched as to be bordering on moronic. Let him finish his career in peace at the Dragons; who knows, a new coach may be just the spark he needs to spark a late charge for the finals next year.
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