After seven seasons and 147 matches for the St George Illawarra Dragons, Ben Hunt's time at the club has come to an end after he was released from the final season of the contract.
His departure means that the Dragons will need to prepare for life without him and will produce a new halves combination next season and beyond as they aim to reach the NRL Finals series once again.
Zero Tacklesย takes a look at ten realistic options that Shane Flanagan and the Dragons could choose to replace the Australian Kangaroos and QLD Maroons representative.
All the players on the list are either without a contract for next season, have been linked with the club or rival teams, have an 'NRL clause' in their contract, or are currently playing at the Dragons.
The options include seven rival NRL players, two Super League playmakers and one player who is currently involved with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
After reports emerged on Wednesday evening that the Parramatta Eels have reportedly granted Gutherson an immediate release from the remainder of his contract, the rumour mill has been in overdrive that he will link up with the Dragons for next season.
Set to sign a three-year deal with the club until the end of the 2027 season, Gutherson will more than likely end up in Dragons colours.
However, his role at the club has been the talk of discussion for some time as Flanagan could decide to use at fullback or at five-eighth - this would see Kyle Flanagan move into the No.7 jumper.
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It is understood that he is set to replace Tyrell Sloan at fullback, pushing him to the wing, but there is an option for him to play in the halves. A position he previously played for the Eels in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
โIf it was to happen, Tyrell's still got a big part,โ coachย Shane Flanaganย recently said viaย The Herald.
โI think it'd be fantastic for Tyrell's development to have someone like Gutho around. Tyrell could play on the wing.
"So if I need to have that conversation with Tyrell, I will, but I haven't as yet because it's a little bit pie-in-the-sky stuff at the moment.โ
Pezet on loan for 12 months looks sensible, as does developing their home grown guy, King Togia. Developing your own (cheap) talent is the Penrith and Cronulla strategy, and that alone is a recommendation for the strategy.