EXCLUSIVE: Darren Lockyer reveals Ben Hunt mail amid gun playmaker's contract wrestle
Darren Lockyer has revealed that his mail is the Bulldogs are pushing hard to lure Ben Hunt — and Wally Lewis says Canterbury and the veteran playmaker would match up well.
Lockyer's intel comes amid links between Hunt and a return to Queensland, with Nine's Danny Weidler reporting on Sky Sports Radio this week that the Titans are "suddenly right in the market".
"I hear the Bulldogs are in for him because they're probably looking for an experienced halfback," Lockyer said on this week's edition of Wide World of Sports' QLDER.
READ MORE: Greg Norman kept in dark before LIV bombshell
READ MORE: The Cleary replacement Maroons icons fear most
READ MORE: Ex-Origin star's monster ban for 'unacceptable' act
"Interesting to hear you say the Bulldogs, Locky," Lewis replied.
"I reckon he'd fit in pretty well at the Dogs. He's got some fairly large boys up in front of him that can provide good field position and opportunities — a couple of former Broncos, as well, that he's had the opportunity to enjoy playing alongside."
Ben Hunt of the Dragons. NRL Imagery
Hunt is contracted to the Dragons until the end of 2025, but the recent axing of Anthony Griffin disgruntled the Queenslander.
There are also whispers of Hunt being irked by St George Illawarra wanting him to play at hooker instead of halfback. He had a stint starting games at hooker in the final month of Griffin's tenure and there is a belief that Dragons powerbrokers want to see their star halves of the future given a chance.
"(Griffin) has been here for a couple of years now and we are building in a direction I believe is the right direction," Hunt said as pressure mounted on the coach before his sacking.
Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now
"I believe if you take away your coach and bring a new coach in, it's going to start that cycle again and, to be honest, I don't have the time to start it all again."
Talatau Amone, 21, is contracted until the end of 2024 and fellow Dragons young gun Jayden Sullivan, 21, is tied to the club until the completion of 2025, but their careers are stalling in Hunt's path.
The Bulldogs also have a highly touted playmaker on the books in 18-year-old whiz-kid Karl Oloapu, while the brilliant Matt Burton is their five-eighth.
Canterbury supremo Phil Gould revealed on Nine's 100% Footy in August last year that he had met with Hunt regarding a possible switch to the Bulldogs.
The Mole's Team of the Week: Fiery Bulldog Tevita Pangai Junior's nod after State of Origin blooding
