‘Exceptional player’: Roosters declare Hunt interest as injuries ravage Robbo’s squad

Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson says veteran playmaker Ben Hunt is among the options he’s looking at to “cover” key positions in season 2025 when they’ll be without spine members Sam Walker and Brandon Smith for a significant period.

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Walker and Smith suffered ACL injuries in the round 26 loss to Canberra which will likely keep the pair out for the opening months of the season.

That’s on top of losing established stars Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Luke Keary, Joseph Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, while prop Terrell May is also expected to be at a new club in the coming weeks.

The loss of talent has freed up spots and plenty of cash for them to splash on free agents, with Hunt a logical target given his ability to play in the halves or at hooker which he’s done so well for Queensland and Australia over the years.

The Roosters currently have Sandon Smith and Chad Townsend on the books, with Connor Watson likely to start at hooker next year, but Hunt would solve their problems until the injured duo return after he was released from the final year of his deal with the Dragons.

“He (Hunt) is an exceptional player and has done it for a long time” Robinson said on Tuesday as the Roosters announced a lucrative sponsorship deal with BYD.

“People want a direct answer, but the thing is we’ve been clear about our squad for a while now. Ever since Luke made his decision, we were really clear with where we were heading over the next couple of years, and we were happy about that.

“But if the opportunity arises to accommodate that seven and nine position in different ways then we will, but it has to be right for the next couple of years as well.

“There are a couple of players that we’re looking at because of the injuries with a nine and a seven (going down). It didn’t only affect the back end of this year, but it also affects the start of next year as well.

“We’re really comfortable with some of the young guys coming through, but we are also looking at covering those positions if it’s right. We don’t feel like we’re in a rush, but if it’s right then we’ll look at options.”

Hunt led the league in try assists last season and would be a great fit alongside Smith in the halves until Walker returns.

Walker may be unavailable but he inked a new deal with the club just last week in a huge boost for the Roosters going forward, with the young half turning down strong interest from the Queensland clubs.

“Those ones are really simple,” Robinson said.

“We know he’s our half, we know he’s our future, so it was about going and getting the deal done and continue into the future. A knee injury wasn’t going to shift that.”