EXCLUSIVE: Bulldogs boss Phil Gould explains decision not to pursue Ben Hunt
Phil Gould has explained the decision from Canterbury officials not to pursue Ben Hunt, despite the club meeting with the veteran playmaker last year.
Hunt left the Dragons in messy fashion at the end of the 2024 season and was soon linked to a host of NRL rivals including the Bulldogs, Dolphins and Roosters.
In the end, the 34-year-old opted to return home to Queensland and link up with the Broncos on a two-year deal, which will see him finish his career at Red Hill.
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While there was some truth to the rumours linking Hunt with a move to Belmore, the club's general manager of football explained it wasn't coming from the Bulldogs camp.
Phil Gould explains why the Bulldogs didn't sign Ben Hunt. Getty/Nine
"Those approaches sort of came from Ben's management," Gould said on Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles With Gus earlier this week.
"[They were] looking at options for him because he was living in Sydney and had young kids starting school. It was probably easier for him to spend more time in Sydney.
"He was obviously looking to get out of the Dragons and I think he spoke to the Roosters and a few other clubs.
"But with where Ben was at in his career and where we were, we just decided that we'd stick with what we have. Ben's a really good player and we really liked him as a bloke."
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Hunt will play five-eighth for Brisbane for the first part of the season, before likely switching to the No.9 jumper once Ezra Mam returns from suspension.
As for the Bulldogs, they continue to invest in their future and Gould believes the club is in a good spot when it comes to its halves moving forward.
Toby Sexton (left) could be under pressure from young gun Mitchell Woods. Getty/NSWRL
"Toby Sexton is our halfback at the moment and we're backing Toby to develop - he is still only 24 years of age and he did a terrific job for us last year," Gould said.
"We've got young halves in Cassius Tia, Mitch Woods and Joey O'Neill. We're hoping that they emerge over the next two or three seasons, but we're not gonna rush them."
Canterbury will kick off its 2025 campaign against St George Illawarra on March 8.
