Dolphins’ last ditch $1.4m offer for Hunt… but Broncos’ ace up sleeve revealed — Free Agency LIVE
The Dolphins have made a last-ditch bid to blow the other clubs out of the water with a $1.4 million deal in the race to secure Ben Hunt, but the Broncos have an ace up their sleeve.
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Code Sports reported the Dolphins have upped the ante with a late offer of $1.4 million for two seasons for Hunt, but that has prompted a return of serve from the Broncos.
The Broncos are reportedly set to offer Hunt a job after he retires in an extra carrot for the former Dragons halfback to consider.
The Dolphins are reportedly the highest bidder for Hunt with a deal for $800,000 in 2025 and $600,000 for 2026.
The NRL salary cap auditors will have to rubberstamp Hunt’s contract, which depends on his market value based on the four offers he receives from the Broncos, Dolphins, Bulldogs and Roosters.
Hunt’s previous deal with the Dragons for 2025 was worth $950,000, but the NRL will determine Hunt’s value based on how many offers he receives and an average of the monetary amounts to determine his market value.
NRL auditors have the power to place a nominal figure on Hunt and, for example, have him valued at $800,000 in Brisbane’s salary cap, even if the Broncos’ official deal is worth less.
Despite the Dolp
The Broncos’ deal is worth $300,000 less than the Dolphins offer, but the chance to work at the club post football is a powerful carrot in the negotiations.
Hunt owns property in Brisbane and Byron Bay and has spoken of his desire to return to Queensland since first agitating for a release from the Dragons in 2023.
Under NRL salary cap rules, in the final year of their career, a player can be paid off the salary cap as part of their transition into retirement.
It is understood the role has to be documented and the payment has to be at market rates.
Hunt’s initial preference was to stay in Sydney for family reasons, but the Roosters have salary cap constraints and can’t match the offers from the Broncos and the Dolphins.
Bulldogs boss Phil Gould was viewed as a potential wildcard after missing out on Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen, but Canterbury are not as keen as the Broncos or Dolphins.
The Bulldogs have yet to make a formal offer for Hunt and are prepared to wait and see if he is available at a reduced rate.
Hunt is expected to make a definitive call this week and Brisbane are firming as the favourites.
hins’ offer, the Broncos are reportedly in the box seat to bring Hunt home, with their two-year deal estimated to be worth around $1.1 million.
DRAGONS SET TO SIGN HUNT REPLACEMENT
The Dragons are reportedly set to sign Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias after he completed a second medical exam on Friday.
That is according to Code Sports, who are reporting the Dragons had a three-player shortlist to replace outgoing star Ben Hunt.
Ilias, alongside Tigers utility Adam Doueihi and Sharks gun Daniel Atkinson were reportedly the three options.
Cronulla bosses reportedly had no intention of allowing Atkinson to depart, while both he and Doueihi’s current contracts expire at the end of the 2025 season.
An announcement regarding Ilias’ arrival at the Dragons is reportedly imminent, and the Rabbitohs reportedly won’t stand in his way from making an immediate move.
The 24-year-old will likely be handed a two-year deal by Shane Flanagan, wearing the No.7 alongside Kyle Flanagan at five-eighth.
Ilias’ exit from the Redfern club could reportedly have a ripple effect, with club bosses reportedly discussing a potential move for Matt Lodge.
Lodge is without a deal for next season and Bennett was the man who handed the front rower a chance to return to the NRL after his incident in the USA.
The move could only be made happen if cap space is cleared, however it remains no certainty the former Sea Eagles enforcer will join South Sydney.
Brandon Smith’s management have reportedly begin their search to find the exiled hooker a new club after he was given permission to depart the Roosters.
That is according to Code Sports, who are reporting Smith’s agent reportedly sent an email to rival clubs regarding a potential move for the Kiwi international.
The email reportedly informed potential suitors to put their best foot forward to negotiate a potential deal, with his current contract expiring at the end of the 2025 season.
However, Smith, who is unavailable until midway through the 2025 season due a knee injury, is reportedly free to depart the Tricolours should he secure a move.
Smith’s likely to have a host of suitors, being one of the competition’s best hookers when fit and firing, whilst also having the ability to play lock.
TWO-HORSE RACE FOR HUNT’S SIGNATURE
The Dolphins are reportedly out of the race for Ben Hunt, leaving just three teams in play for the star’s services (Broncos, Bulldogs and Roosters).
Although that could soon be whittled down to two, with the Roosters dealing with salary cap pressures and likely unable to match the offers from the Broncos and Dogs.
At this stage, according to Code Sports, the Broncos are the frontrunners for Hunt’s signature, with a decision to be made early next week.
However, the Bulldogs are looming large and are still very much in the running.
If Hunt does sign with the Bulldogs, he will be taking a pay cut of around $400,000 a season given Canterbury have set a budget of $550,000.
While Hunt is happy to stay in Sydney, a return to Queensland looks most likely, with the playmaker impressed after his recent tour of the $27 million Broncos facility with new coach Michael Maguire.
It sets up a Broncos-Hunt reunion, with the playmaker appearing debuting for and appearing in 187 games for the club before heading to the Dragons at the end of the 2017 season.
Hunt has yet to receive a formal offer from any club since the Dragons and Maroons star mutually agreed to part ways late last month, but is expected to this weekend before making his much-anticipated decision.
