Sport Confidential: Dolphins’ audacious bid to poach Ben Hunt from St George Illawarra Dragons
Michael Carayannis and
Travis Meyn
The Dolphins reached out to St George Illawarra to inquire about the potential availability of Dragons skipper Ben Hunt.
The Dolphins have been in the market for a halves partner for boom youngster Isaiya Katoa. They tried to sign Englishman Lewis Dodd, but he opted to join departing coach Wayne Bennett at South Sydney for the 2025 season.
Then the Dolphins heavily pursued Parramatta youngster Blaize Talagi before he signed with premiers Penrith.
Hunt was the latest player on their radar.
But for now the Dragons have made it clear Hunt is not for sale.
They were quick to dismiss the approach and made it clear they have no intention of releasing Hunt from the final 12 months of his deal.
Just last season he had a host of Queensland clubs chasing his services. There was the potential for a short stint at his former club, Brisbane, before a longer-term deal with the Gold Coast.
None of those options eventuated as the Dragons stood firm. Hunt and the Dragons have decided to park any potential contract talks until the end of the season.
Hunt remains contracted until the end of 2025 and will become a free agent on November 1. The Dragons have not ruled out giving their skipper an extension but those talks will start at the end of St George Illawarra’s premiership campaign.
Hunt, who has played 330 NRL games, said he was uncertain if he wanted to play on during a wide-ranging interview on Fox League’s Face to Face with Jake Duke this week.
“To be honest I’m still on the fence about it, and not on the fence with the club and whether I want to leave or not,” Hunt said.
“It’s more about my future and how much longer I’ve got left in this game. I’m 34 now and have played a hell of a lot of footy.
“While I’m still enjoying my footy it’s not getting easier, I don’t want to rush into anything.”
The Dolphins re-signed the rejuvenated Kodi Nikorima until the end of 2026. Fellow veteran Anthony Milford is expected to move on at the end of the season.