Incoming Dolphins coach eyeing Ben Hunt's next contract play as Queensland move looms
Ben Hunt's future with St George Illawarra may be clouded by uncertainty but his appeal to rival teams has not been ignored.
The Dolphins have been floated as the potential landing spot for Hunt, who is set to be granted permission to negotiate with rival clubs.
The halfback, who has expressed interest in returning to Queensland, will be permitted to field offers for 2026 come November 1 when he officially enters the market.
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But many are tipping him to be gone before the 2025 season starts.
Ben Hunt has had a turbulent journey with the Dragons. Getty
Hunt's proposed time on the market has already caught the attention of incoming Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf, who expressed his interest in negotiating with players of Hunt's calibre.
Woolf confirmed the Dolphins have yet to make contract with Hunt, who is busy in Kangaroos camp during the Pacific Championships.
"I read the media reports, I can stand here with my hand on my heart and say that we've had no contact at all," Woolf, who is coaching Tonga against Australia on Friday night, said on Thursday.
Watch the 2024 Pacific Championships on Nine and 9Now.
"We are always interested in talking to talented players and Ben Hunt is a talented player, he is playing for Australia at the moment.
"We're always interested in having those conversations but as I said, that conversation hasn't happened at the moment.
"And at the moment it's not something I'm interested in talking about."
Ben Hunt is 18th man in Mal Meninga's Kangaroos team. Getty
The Titans were reported to be interested in Hunt's talent but have since withdrawn themselves from the race.
In Hunt's 147 appearances with the Dragons, the club has only competed in one finals series.
If he were to be released from his contract with the Dragons, the club would not be short of funding to find his replacement.
Hunt has been named as 18th man in Australia's Pacific Championship match against Tonga on Friday, in which Woolf is the opposition coach.
