Hunt’s future clouded after Dragons mayhem; Knights star rejects exit talk: Transfer Whispers
TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 13: Ben Hunt of the Dragons during the round 11 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and St George Illawarra Dragons at Qld Country Bank Stadium on May 13, 2023 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA – MAY 13: Ben Hunt of the Dragons during the round 11 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and St George Illawarra Dragons at Qld Country Bank Stadium on May 13, 2023 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
Staff Writers from Fox Sports
June 3rd, 2023 3:05 pm
Dragons superstar Ben Hunt is set to make a call on his club future in the coming days, with the St George halfback mulling a potential transfer request.
The club copped a double blow this week, with Jason Ryles rejecting an offer to become the joint-venture side’s new head coach, before it was revealed major sponsor St George will end their four-decade association with the club in 2024.
Hunt, the Dragons captain contracted with the club until the end of 2025, publicly backed Anthony Griffin before the Dragons coach was axed last month.
It has only reignited talk the 32-year-old could look for an opportunity elsewhere to chase an elusive premiership ring, having played in just one grand final in his over 300-game NRL career.
Rival clubs such as the Titans and Bulldogs have been linked to bids for the versatile veteran, should he seek to quit the Dragons.
Speaking to News Corp about his future amid the turmoil, he said: “I honestly haven’t thought about it.
“I only found out the news (Wednesday) and my focus was on this game (Origin) so I put it on the backburner.
“I’ll get back to the Dragons in the next couple of days and see where it’s at.
“I’m sure they’ll get it sorted out. I don’t know why he turned down the job. They’ll sort it out.
“I believe in what they’re doing. As a player it’s not my job to sort those things out, it’s for the higher-ups and I’m sure they’re doing the best they can.”
The Maroons star has played 114 times for the Dragons since his move from the Broncos in 2018.
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BEST POURS COLD WATER ON EXIT CHATTER
Knights star Bradman Best has shut down rumours of a potential exit from Newcastle, declaring there is ‘no truth’ to any murmurs of a transfer – and indeed hopes for a contract extension.
A Sydney Morning Herald report last month named Best and Daniel Saifiti as players the Knights could offload to free up cap space for a rebuild, adding the Knights would be open to a potential deal.
The 21-year-old centre, who is contracted with the Knights until the end of 2024, has now poured cold water on the rumours.
“I don’t know where it’s coming from,” Best told the Newcastle Herald.
“Adz [coach Adam O’Brien] said I had nothing to worry about and then Peter Parr (director of football) told me in his office there was no truth to the rumours.
“I’m not worried about it. I’ve got another year to go on my contract and hopefully I can extend it. I love al
l the boys – why would I want to leave?”
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