SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 17: Ben Hunt of the Dragons looks on during the NRL trial match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and Hull at ANZ Stadium on February 17, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

The future of both captain and coach of the St George Illawarra Dragons remains in limbo as the club shuts down Ben Hunt's plea to have his future contract linked with an extension for coach Anthony Griffin.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Hunt's management made a request for the star halfback's two-year extension to coincide with the resigning of Griffin, a notion that the club has rejected.

There are also rumours that the club has lowballed their star player to begin contract negotiations, only offering a $700,000 a year deal to keep Hunt in the Red V.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 17: Ben Hunt of the Dragons looks on during the NRL trial match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and Hull at ANZ Stadium on February 17, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Speculation about Hunt and Griffin's future at the Dragons has ramped up in the last week following an interview between Hunt and the media after a Dragons training session.

"There is no secret I like Hook (Griffin) and as long as he is the coach here, that is probably something that is going to keep me at the club," Hunt said.

Despite missing the finals for the second consecutive season under Griffin, Hunt has been a shining light for the club this season, leading the Dally M count before voting went behind closed doors and thriving under the coach's mentorship.

With Wayne Bennett and The Dolphins looming and quality halfbacks a hot prospect in the modern game, the Dragons are scrambling to get Hunt's deal locked in before the Rugby League World Cup in October.

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. I hope dragons can convince Hunt to stay but punt Griffin. Good to see the board show some common sense on this. By the way, the way to keep Hunt and Sullivan is easy. Release McCulloch, he’s way too slow, move Hunt to hooker and Sullivan to halfback. This is a dream combo with Amone at 5/8. Hunt was sensational at hooker for Queensland. Also Hunt and Sullivan could freely swap when needed while Sullivan gets hhis first grade experience. Hunt is one of the few to really shine under Griffin. Most have gone backward.

  2. It’s actually worse than it looks.

    Hunt is contracted for 2023, anyway. These discussions are for 2024 and 2025. Asking the board to guarantee another three years for Coach Griffin is wildly unrealistic: – he could be sacked at the end of this season.

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