Family detail as Ben Hunt tipped to reject Broncos and Dolphins to sign with Sydney NRL team

Two weeks after the Dragons sensationally released halfback Ben Hunt from the final year of his contract, the saga has taken a fresh turn with the halfback reportedly expressing a desire to stay in Sydney over relocating up north. Hunt has completed his Australian commitments following Sunday’s Pacific Championships triumph over Tonga and talks are now set to ramp up over where he will play in 2025.

Hunt led the league in try assists last season and in a market seriously lacking quality halves, the veteran halfback is without a shadow of a doubt the top option available. The Broncos were thought to be leading the race, with Hunt a junior at the club and Michael Maguire stating he is keen to bring him to Red Hill. However, there is plenty of interest from rival NRL clubs.

The Broncos have made preliminary inquiries with Hunt’s management, while fellow Queensland outfit, the Dolphins, have plenty of salary cap room available to fit him in. And new coach Kristian Woolf is reportedly keen to bring the halfback on board.

It was therefore thought it was a two-horse race for Hunt, who admitted last week that there is a romantic lure to potentially returning to Brisbane, believing it would be "special" to go back to his former club and help them finally win a premiership. However, News Corp reports the 34-year-old no longer prefers a move to Queensland, as his family are settled and happy in Sydney, opening the door for the Roosters and Bulldogs to enter the hunt for the playmaker’s signature.

The publication reports sources have confirmed Hunt is settled in NSW and would prefer to remain in the Harbour City for family reasons. The Roosters have internally floated the prospect of signing the playmaker but could find it difficult to justify given the fact they just signed Sam Walker to a $1 million a-season contract and also have Sandon Smith and Chad Townsend on their payroll.

Roosters firm as favourites to land Ben Hunt

Hunt could potentially play in the halves alongside Smith or Townsend before shifting into a hooking role to support Brandon Smith when Walker returns from injury. However, whether the Tri Colours believe that is worth doing, especially given the likely lucrative deal they would need to convince Hunt to join the club, remains to be seen.'

Roosters coach Trent Robinson did play down the club's interest in Hunt on Tuesday though, reiterating his confidence in his current squad. “We’re really confident with the team we have got,” Robinson said. “But there’s also names that pop up from time to time, and you start to think okay, I wonder what that would look like.”

The Bulldogs have also been linked with making a move for the veteran half, with the management of incumbent Canterbury half Toby Sexton reportedly concerned for his future at Canterbury. Sexton is off-contract next year and is keen to remain at Belmore after helping the Bulldogs surge into a finals place in 2024. But he may look for pastures new if Bulldogs powerbrokers target Hunt.

Mal Meninga believes Ben Hunt would improve any club

Hunt has not won a premiership in his 16-season career, but Australian coach Mal Meninga believes he would be a great addition to any team with premiership aspirations. "Ben would be a good signing for anyone," Meninga said last week.

"He’s a quality person, quality leader and a quality player. I’ve had Ben in my teams for quite a long time now. Ben is a winner and he wants to play in a club that will win. It’s up to his management where he goes and around the decisions they make next."

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Payne Haas hopes to see Ben Hunt at Red Hill in 2025

While one man who is hoping Hunt returns to Red Hill is Broncos prop Payne Haas. Following Australia's win over Tonga, the forward urged club bosses to bring Hunt - who played halfback for Brisbane in their 2015 grand-final loss to the Cowboys - home.

“Honestly, I would love it if Ben came back,” Haas said. “I’ll be so excited to be honest if we signed him. Obviously, I will let the higher powers sort that out and hopefully they can.

“Ben Hunt is an original Bronco and when I first came to the club, he was around as well. He’s a world-class player. He brings leadership qualities and there’s not a lot of players in the game today with his experience. If we can get him somehow, it would be pretty special.”