Hunt reportedly accepts Dragons' big offer

Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt has reportedly agreed to a big-money six-year NRL deal to join St George Illawarra for the 2018 season.

According to the Seven Network, the 26-year-old has told the Broncos he has accepted a multi-million offer to join the Red V.

The deal, which will make him one of the highest-paid players in the game, is said to be for five years with an option in his favour for a sixth.

The Broncos were unable to match the Dragons' offer, which is reported to be worth nearly $1 million a season.

The Red V are desperate for a blue-chip playmaker following a lacklustre 2016 in which they finished 11th, leading to veteran half Benji Marshall's exit to the Broncos.

Hunt would be 33 at the conclusion of the deal.

Drew Hutchison was set to partner skipper Gareth Widdop in the Dragons' halves in 2017 until he suffered a serious knee injury in pre-season training.

Josh McCrone and Kurt Mann are shaping as makeshift halves replacement while Widdop is also off contract at the end of 2017.

Penrith were rumoured to be in the market for Hunt however that suggestion was knocked on the head by general manager Phil Gould.

The Broncos had reportedly offered Hunt a counter offer, in a bid to keep him at the club alongside five-eighth Anthony Milford.

Hunt debuted for Brisbane in 2009 and took the club to the 2015 grand final, in which he infamously dropped a kick off which led to Johnathan Thurston kicking the winning field goal.