The competition to sign Ben Hunt has tightened, with one more NRL club stepping out of the race. St George Illawarra Dragons had granted Hunt permission to seek other options, yet after the Canberra Raiders, Gold Coast Titans, and North Queensland Cowboys pulled back, the Canterbury Bulldogs are the latest team to withdraw interest, according to *The Sydney Morning Herald*.
Hunt, under contract with the Dragons through 2025, has been eyeing a release since mid-last year. Now, his most likely destination appears to be The Dolphins, where head coach Kristian Woolf has expressed an openness to discussions about a potential move.
Dolphins coach Woolf acknowledged Hunt’s talent, especially as the star halfback currently represents Australia. If a deal with the Dolphins materializes, Hunt would likely take on the five-eighth position, complementing Isaiya Katoa and Jeremy Marshall-King in the halves and hooker roles.
Despite Dragons coach Shane Flanagan’s stance that Hunt remains the club’s starting halfback, Hunt’s future with the Dragons remains uncertain as he is expected to skip pre-season training and seems intent on leaving the Red V.