Ben Hunt is one of the biggest-name players that will become a free agent come November 1 — and it’s all but certain he’ll sign with a new club unless there’s a sensational backflip from the Dragons.
Hunt is the Dragons’ best and most important player but that hasn’t the stopped the club from making a tough decision on its skipper’s future.
The 34-year-old comes off contract at the end of next season and he revealed last week that the Dragons are “not overly keen” on re-signing him.
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Despite the fact he’ll turn 35 in the first month of next season, Hunt has already declared he “definitely” wants to play on after 2025.
But where?
Hunt is a Queensland product and has previously spoken about his desire to return home, however he’s open to other options too.
There’ll be no shortage of interest in Hunt, who is one of the most experienced players in the game with over 330 NRL games under his belt. He’s also played 20 games for Queensland and is a 15-time Kangaroo — and counting after he was selected in the extended squad for the Pacific Championships.
With just over two weeks left until clubs can approach Hunt with their interest, foxsports.com.au has broken down all the potential landing spots for the star halfback.
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BRONCOS
Red Hill is the home that makes the most sense. The Broncos are bracing for the retirement of Adam Reynolds, which is expected to come at the end of next season, and will be looking for a new halfback to steer the ship. The club has been linked to Sam Walker, who will also become a free agent from November 1 but he is expected to re-sign with the Roosters. Hunt is the next best thing — and he’s almost a like-for-like replacement for Reynolds in terms of experience and what he can offer. Ironically, Hunt is actually a few months older than Reynolds but his body has held up better. He’s averaged 22 games a season over the last three years as opposed to Reynolds’ average of 18 games. If Hunt could negotiate an immediate release he could slot straight into the Broncos’ No.9 jersey — but that would come down to salary cap space given Reynolds would still be taking up a fair chunk of it next season.
TITANS
The Titans have an ageing playmaker an Kieran Foran, and it could be considered outlandish to think they will replace him with another man coming to the bookend of his career. But Hunt is showing no signs of slowing down and is hopeful of earning an extension beyond the 2025 season, while Foran’s contract expires at the end of 2025. The former Manly playmaker has refused to rule out that campaign as his last, but it remains to be seen if he can avoid injuries and play on. So could Hunt land in the Gold Coast? It’s a Queensland club, and the gun halfback has never shied away from the fact he wants to return to his home state. Hunt has previously been linked to the Titans, and the eighth Immortal Andrew Johns floated a shock swap deal post-season that could open a path for the move. He was of the belief Sam Verrills could be headed back to the Roosters, clearing cap space and a top 30 spot for Hunt to head north. Hunt would also be the perfect experienced foil for the likes of Jayden Campbell who has shown he’s got the talent to be an elite playmaker in the NRL.
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BULLDOGS
Could Hunt be the final piece to the Bulldogs’ premiership puzzle? Or are they better off investing in the future? For years the Bulldogs’ biggest question mark has been over their halfback. Jake Averillo had the job at the start of 2022, then it went to Kyle Flanagan, then Toby Sexton at the back end of last season and then Drew Hutchison started 2024 in the No.7 jersey before Sexton took over again. Sexton and Burton formed a combination that has plenty of potential — and they did help steer the club to its first finals appearance since 2016. But the rumours linking Hunt to Belmore just won’t go away. They first started in August when Hunt met with Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould in August, 2022 and they’ve reignited now that the veteran half’s future is once again in the headlines. The Dogs are building nicely and adding Hunt’s experience to the spine would take them a step closer to a premiership, but it could cost them Sexton. That may not be so bad with teenage prodigy Mitchell Woods making his way up the pecking order — but there’s no guarantees Woods will be ready to be a starting halfback by the time Hunt calls it a day.
EELS
It seems a little farfetched but this is where Hunt’s versatility could come into play. The Eels have already got a star-studded halves pairing in Dylan Brown and Mitchell Moses and both are locked in long-term. But the No.9 jersey has been up for grabs ever since Reed Mahoney exited the club. Brendan Hands and Joey Lussick shared the role this year but the latter has reportedly been informed he’s free to look elsewhere for next season. Hunt has represented Queensland and Australia at hooker — and some pundits will argue it’s actually where he plays his best footy. What could make this move a reality is the fact the Dragons have been linked to Clint Gutherson, who like Hunt comes off contract at the end of next season and is free to look elsewhere. They could both see out the final year on their respective contracts — or an immediate swap deal could take place which would send Gutherson to the Dragons and Hunt to the Eels. Imagine an off-season club swap taking place between two club captains!
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KNIGHTS
If there’s one thing the Knights desperately need to sort out it’s their halves pairing. Jack Cogger was recruited to the club but Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings started together this year in a nod of goodwill by coach Adam O’Brien after their form in 2023. But after back-to-back losses to start the season, O’Brien started chopping and changing. Hastings was dropped then recalled before Gamble was dropped and then recalled. Cogger, meanwhile, went from the bench to halfback to five-eighth to reserve grade in the space of seven weeks and Will Pryce also had a short-stint at five-eighth. Cogger was eventually recalled but ended up finishing the year partnering Phoenix Crossland in the halves. While Crossland had some promising performances in the No.7 jersey — and was developed as a half — he’s not the answer and had found a home at hooker anyway. The Knights need some stability in the halves and this is problem Hunt can solve… if he’s open to a move to the Hunter. But if that deal was to get over the line someone would have to make way given there’s already several halves on the roster.
ROOSTERS
This is a move that would make a lot of sense immediately, but not so much long-term. The Roosters are in desperate need of depth and experience in their spine following the departure of Luke Keary and long-term knee injuries to Sam Walker and Brandon Smith. It was expected Sandon Smith would step up to partner Walker in the halves next season and Chad Townsend would provide adequate depth. But that plan has been thrown out the window given Walker isn’t due back from his ACL injury until mid-June. Then there’s the hole at hooker that Brandon Smith’s ACL injury will leave until the back end of next season — but that’s something Hunt could also slot straight into.
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SEA EAGLES
It would all come down to whether Daly Cherry-Evans retires at the end of next season — and even then it may not be worth exploring Hunt given he’s only a year younger than DCE. But Manly do have to start planning for life after Cherry-Evans and with the likes of Tom Trbojevic, Haumole Olakau’atu and Luke Brooks locked in they have the bones of a premiership-winning side. If they were to replace Cherry-Evans with Hunt after their beloved No.7 retires the club’s premiership chances wouldn’t cop much of a hit.
WARRIORS
There’s probably more chance of pigs flying than Hunt making the move to New Zealand but the reality is the Warriors have a No.7 jersey that needs filling following Shaun Johnson’s retirement. Te Maire Martin is the likely option to partner Luke Metcalf in the halves next season but he too comes off contract at the end of 2025. It would take an impressive pitch to lure Hunt across the ditch so late in his career but it’s worth a try for a player of his calibre.
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