Dragons under fire as brutal act towards Ben Hunt comes to light

The St George-Illawarra Dragons risk losing their captain and best player Ben Hunt after reportedly giving the Queensland Maroons star a "low-ball' offer to stay at the club.

That's according to Channel Nine rugby league reporter Danny Weidler, who insists the Dragons will be hard pressed hanging onto the star halfback, unless they come back with an improved deal.

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Hunt signed from the Broncos in a rich long-term deal prior to the 2018 season, which is understood to be worth close to $1 million per season.

That deal runs out at the end of the 2023 season, with the Dragons understandably keen to extend the 32-year-old's contract.

Hunt has starred for the Maroons in recent State of Origin series, after being named Queensland's player of the series in both 2019 and 2021.

He was also leading this year's Dally M Medal count in May before the voting went behind closed doors.

The playmaker is thought to be seeking a two-year, $850,000 per season extension on his current deal, taking him up to the end of 2025.

According to Weidler, however, the Dragons have "low-balled" Hunt by offering him significantly less than what he is hoping for.

"There's been talk that Ben Hunt has been offered $850,000 a year to stay with the Dragons when his contract runs out at the end of next year," Weidler said on Nine's 100% Footy.

"They've actually low-balled him, the Dragons. He's been offered around 700 (thousand) a year.

"I think the Dragons are of the opinion he will stay with the club because of his love of the coach, Anthony Griffin.

"He's made it quite clear he wants to play under Anthony Griffin."

With no shortage of NRL clubs who could benefit from a player of Hunt's calibre, Weidler says the Dragons run the risk of losing the halfback if they aren't willing to stump up the cash.

"The 700 (thousand) offer I don't think is going to sit well with his (Hunt's) management," Weidler added.

"I think at least four or five clubs will be hearing this news and thinking we can have a crack at Ben Hunt. I think at 700, he's a bargain.

"I think the Dragons are kidding themselves if (they think) 700 will keep him there."

Ben Hunt a hugely important player for the Dragons

Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould says its imperative for the Dragons to come to the negotiating table because the prospect of losing Hunt would be a massive blow.

"I don't think that will be enough to sign him. My understanding is he asked for something like 850, 875 (thousand), which I thought was pretty reasonable in the current market," Gould said.

"Given his status within that team, the Dragons really struggle when Ben Hunt's not on the field, he's pretty much carrying them every week, I'm not sure they can afford to do without him.

"That's pretty reasonable money for a player with his credentials. You'd pay him that for sure."

While the Dragons may point to Hunt's age as being incongruous with his pay demands, the fact of the matter is he is the same age as Adam Reynolds - the former Rabbitohs half who has transformed the Broncos into finals contenders this season.

Former New South Wales captain Paul Gallen said age is definitely not so much of a factor for a player like Hunt, who is in some of the best form of his life.

"I think he's a really good player," Gallen said.

"There's a lot of players these days playing into their 30s, halves don't get beat up that much. Cooper Cronk played until he was 36 or 37.

"I still think he's got a couple of really good years left in him."

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