The St George Illawarra Dragons have made a massive call on the future of their skipper, Ben Hunt.
A veteran of the NRL, Hunt's future has been up in the air since reports emerged that he was seeking a release in the middle of last year. But, it has now been reportedly decided on as he prepares to play in the 2024 Pacific Championships against New Zealand and Tonga.
His form - and the Dragons' improvement - underย Shane Flanaganย had the rumour mill speculating he was in talks with the club over adding a year to his contract, which would have likely seen him retire as a Dragon.
However, this won't be happening.
According toย The Sydney Morning Herald,ย the Dragons have granted skipper Ben Hunt permission to test the open market immediately following a club board meeting that was held on Tuesday.
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At this stage, the Dragons haven't confirmed if he could possibly released to another team for next season, but sources speaking to The Herald revealed that the club would entertain the idea, and it is highly likely he has played his last game for the Red V.
Off-contract at the end of the 2025 season, the news comes after the club recently told the Australian Kangaroos and QLD Maroons playmaker that he wouldn't be given a contract extension to remain at the club after his current deal expires.
The $950,000 per season player has been linked with has been linked with a return home to Queensland to play for eitherย The Dolphinsย orย Gold Coast Titans, as well as a potential move to the Canterbury Bulldogs in the past.
"This is really interesting because he's had such an up-and-down relationship with the Dragons over the last few years, and he's obviously got one more season under contract at the Dragons,"ย The Sydney Morning Herald'sย Adrian Proszenko said onย SEN 1170 NRL Crunch Time less than a month ago.
"At one stage, there was even talk about maybe extending him, despite the fact he'd previously asked for a release, but everything that I'm hearing is that he's unlikely to be there next year.
"I think that's (Gold Coast Titans) a chance. There's a big standoff there because if the club asks him to move on, they'll have to chip in some freight, and if Hunt asks to leave, the departures are sort of on the club's terms.
"I reckon what will happen over the off-season is at some point they'll sit down, and they'll say, listen, we've decided we're not going to extend you (and) you can have a look around.
"And if you find something, I reckon he'll potentially move a little bit earlier rather than wait till the contract expires.
"You mentioned the Titans. He's been linked with them, obviously, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Dogs have a look at him as well."
Starting the season in theย NSW Cup, incumbent halfbackย Toby Sextonย played a significant role in their run to the finals but was outplayed byย Daly Cherry-Evansย on the big stage.
Sexton remains contracted for another season, while promising youngsterย Mitchell Woodsย will progress into the club's Top 30 roster in 2025 after representing the U19sย NSW Bluesย earlier this year.
"Toby Sextonย has done a magnificent job this season to get them to where they're at," Proszenko added.
"But if you look at that last game, I think that was a bit of a wake-up call to some of the club where it's a game that they dominated (and) if they had an experienced guy likeย Ben Hunt, potentially that might have been the difference and just got them over the line against Manly.
"There's obviouslyย Mitchell Woodsย waiting in the wings.
"He's a tremendous young talent, but whether he's ready at the start of next year or maybe closer to 12 months away. So, he could potentially be a good riding player for the Bulldogs."
