Canterbury have emerged as a shock contender for Ben Hunt’s services after Phil Gould held a secret meeting with the star halfback on Friday.
Hunt, the clear favourite for Dally M player of the year honours, has been in negotiations to finish his career at St George Illawarra. However, the parties are about $200,000 apart Hunt after the Dragons recently tabled a two-year deal.
The Bulldogs are looking for a classy No.7 to lead the club’s resurgence under incoming coach Cameron Ciraldo and believe the answer could come from the Dragons. The Red V has Hunt and Jayden Sullivan on its books and the “Family Club” have identified both as potential targets.
If Hunt re-signs with the Dragons, Sullivan will have his path to the NRL blocked and is expected to ask for an immediate release, despite being contracted until the end of 2025. However, if the joint-venture outfit doesn’t come to terms with Hunt, the Maroons star could be the one heading to Belmore.
Gould has shown he has the gravitas to pull off big deals, as evidenced by his securing of Ciraldo, Viliame Kikau and Reed Mahoney. Now he has personally pitched to Hunt in a bid to bring another big name and key block in the rebuild of the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs have joined the chase for Ben Hunt.Credit:Getty
The snaring of a quality halfback to partner Matt Burton would help in the club’s bid to re-sign the pivot, who can field offers from rivals from November 1.
Hunt’s massive five-year, $6 million Dragons deal is about to expire at the end of next year. The former Bronco has a strong relationship with Anthony Griffin and wanted a clause inserted into his next contract tied to the coach. The Dragons knocked back the request and now risk having their best player test his value on the open market.
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