Ben Hunt's $2.7 million move with wife that shows exactly where NRL veteran will end up

Whether it's next year or in a few years time, there appears no doubt Ben Hunt will end up back in Queensland. And NRL great Scott Sattler reckons a $2.7 million move with his wife is proof.

Hunt is searching for a new club after the Dragons agreed to release him from the final year of his $950,000 contract on Wednesday. The situation had become untenable after Hunt and coach Shane Flanagan fell out at the end of the 2024 season, although Hunt had been itching for a release for 18 months.

Speculation is now rife about where Hunt will be playing in 2025, with the Dolphins emerging as the early front-runner. Hunt and wife Bridget are both originally from Queensland and still have family there, and they've made no secret of their desire to return one day.

Discussing the situation on Wednesday, Sattler pointed out that Hunt and his wife recently purchased a property in Bangalow in the Byron Bay Hinterland, right near the NSW-Queensland border. Sattler believes it shows Hunt and his family want to eventually move there full-time, which would put one of the Queensland clubs as the favourites to sign him.

"He's just bought a beautiful farm in Bangalow," Sattler said. "I'm not saying he wants to move there straight away and live there, but obviously that's where he wants to end up. If you can get closer to where you're eventually going to end up, it just minimises all that confusion around transitioning post-career (into retirement)."

Ben Hunt property purchase had sparked controversy

The property purchase sparked some controversy last year, with some calling on the NRL to investigate because Hunt bought it from a Dragons sponsor. Norm Black - the co-owner of TripADeal - listed the property for $2.95 million, but Hunt managed to snag it for $2.7m.

Black later moved to hose down any suggestions the property sale was any kind of "financial sweetener" for Hunt to remain at the Dragons. “It was a place I had as an Airbnb and ‘Hunty’ stayed there over Christmas," Black said at the time. "He is into breeding horses and post footy he wants to get into that, so I said to him if you want the property, which has plenty of acreage, I will sell it to you.

“Have a look at the deal. Hunty paid $2.7 million for it - it’s not like he got it for nothing. There’s no cheating of the salary cap. People talking about the salary cap are barking up the wrong tree."

RELATED:

• Reece Walsh spotted in eye-opening new move at Broncos headquarters

• Latrell Mitchell's telling move at home as photo highlights huge change

Could Ben Hunt end up at the Sydney Roosters?

Sattler believes the Dolphins are in the box seat to sign Hunt, with the Broncos unable to fit him under their salary cap. The Broncos have reportedly decided against terminating Ezra Mam's $4 million contract, meaning they can't afford to bring Hunt back.

But Sattler said he wouldn't be surprised if the Roosters make a play for the veteran halfback. "I look at the Roosters who've got plenty of room in their salary cap," Sattler added. "They've lost Sam Walker for most of next year, Luke Keary has moved on, Joey Manu has moved on so he (Hunt) could be a really good two-year option at the Roosters.

"You've got the direction and the control of Benny Hunt, who has the ability to play off the cuff as well... and then you've got this Alfie Langer-type style in Sam Walker who you don't want to coach too much so you've just got to have that steady hand (playing) beside him. When to pick up the tempo of the game, when to bring it back and just being able to talk to him on the run and a person like Ben Hunt would be perfect in that scenario when Walker comes back."