Surprise replacement for Ben Hunt floated as exit looms for disgruntled Dragons captain
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St George Illawarra has given captain Ben Hunt permission to negotiate with rival clubs immediately, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
Hunt is off contract come November 1 and would have then been allowed to field offers for 2026 and beyond.
But the Dragons have told him he's free to seek opportunities elsewhere and can talk to rivals before the end of the month.
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It comes a week after the Eels also told their captain - Clint Gutherson - he is free to speak to rivals and has been linked with the Dragons.
Reports from the Herald have also indicated that Tigers utility Adam Doueihi could be a potential target for coach Shane Flanagan heading into next year.
Doueihi has a year to run on his deal at Concord, but is unlikely to lock down a starting halves position
Hunt is a Queensland and Kangaroos representative but has fallen out of favour at the Red V after a rollercoaster tenure.
He was reportedly dealt some harsh truths in a brutal post-season review with Flanagan in September after once again failing to lead the Dragons to the NRL finals.
Before the 2024 season even began Hunt was the subject of speculation as he agitated for a release from the Dragons in a bid to return to Queensland.
Ben Hunt of the Dragons. Getty
Hunt played 187 games for the Broncos before signing with St George Illawarra on a lucrative deal in 2018.
In that time the Dragons have only played finals once.
Speaking in Kangaroos camp last week, Hunt was fuming that news of his review with Flanagan had been leaked to media.
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"I'm not too sure where it's come from. Obviously, someone said something somewhere because there is a fair bit of noise about it," he told 9News.
"It was a bit disappointing that information did get out of there, you know, it's your end-of-season review.
"I've always said I'd be open to it if the opportunity (of leaving) arose.
"Queensland is home. I've had a lot of great times up here (and have) a lot of family up here, so if the opportunity did come up then yeah, I'd never say no."
