Dolphins at centre of major Ben Hunt development in $1.3 million blow for Brisbane Broncos

The Dolphins could be poised to blow NRL rivals the Brisbane Broncos out of the water in the battle for Ben Hunt's signature, with the Redcliffe-based side reportedly armed with a $1.3 million war chest. Hunt has emerged as the most sought-after free agent after agreeing to mutually part ways with the Dragons, despite having one more year left on a $950,000 deal.

Hunt has already declared his desire to return to Brisbane and the Broncos have indicated they would love to have him back but salary cap constraints would make any move difficult due to the big money tied up in contracts for Reece Walsh, Payne Haas, Ezra Mam and Patrick Carrigan. The NRL is likely to insist Hunt's new club pay him around the same amount he was earning at the Dragons, meaning the veteran No.7 won't be able to take a cut-price deal and the Broncos currently only have around $500,000 left in their cap.

Mam's uncertain future due to a recent car crash saga means he is expected to be sidelined for a chunk of next season, potentially opening the door for the Broncos to apply for salary cap dispensation for a like-for-like player. Considering Mam is on a deal worth around $800,000 per season, Hunt could fit the bill but if it comes down to a bidding war, the cashed-up Dolphins would have them covered quite comfortably.

Several other clubs such as the Roosters and Bulldogs have been linked with a move for Hunt but the Maroons star has made no secret of his desire to return to play in his home state of Queensland. And if money is ultimately the deciding factor in Hunt's next move, then Wayne Bennett's former side has a distinct advantage after careful management of their salary cap across their first two years in the NRL.

Cashed-up Dolphins could be primed to pounce on Ben Hunt

According to The Courier Mail, the Dolphins have around $1.3 million of space in their cap and incoming coach Kristian Woolf says he's "definitely keen" to chat to Hunt if the halfback is interested in a move there. Woolf is preparing Tonga for Sunday's Pacific Championship final against Hunt's Kangaroos and says while he has not yet spoken to the former Dragons skipper, he's certainly the type of player who can improve the Dolphins squad.

“If Ben is keen to have a chat then I am definitely keen to have a chat to him as well," Woolf told The Courier Mail. “I am really happy with the squad we have at the Dolphins. I know we have a squad there where we can improve on what we have built the last couple of years. I am happy if there are no changes there but Ben Hunt is a class player. So if he is keen to have a chat to us, we will certainly do that."

Hunt recorded more try assists (34) than any other player in 2024 and would be an ideal mentor for talented young Dolphins playmaker Isaiya Katoa, who is also part of Woolf's Tonga squad. The Dolphins also have Kodi Nikorima and Sean O'Sullivan as part of their halves rotation but Hunt would represent a step up in class and could also offer them another option at hooker.

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However, Hunt has already made his feelings clear about wanting to return to the Broncos to try and win a premiership and Brisbane stars Haas and Carrigan - plus coach Michael Maguire - admit he'd be welcomed back with open arms. "Ben is a world-class player and has plenty of experience," Maguire said during his first week of pre-season training with Brisbane.

"We all know what he is capable of and what he would bring to the place. We will let him go through the Australian space this week, and after that he will probably sit down and work out what he wants to do. They are things that are a work in progress. One thing I won't do is talk too much about contracts, but someone of Ben's calibre coming to the team would definitely be great."