Ben Hunt’s management will not talk to rival clubs until his Kangaroos commitments wrap up after the Dragons told him a 2025 release would not be considered before he entered Australian camp.
As Parramatta look to unsigned half Ronald Volkman as a depth signing and Maika Sivo’s release to Super League edges closer, tension between the Dragons and Hunt continues to simmer after the club granted its highest-paid player early permission to explore the 2026 market.
After being told extension talks would be revisited based on how Hunt starts the 2025 season, his camp is prepared to push for an immediate exit rather than waiting another year. Hunt has had multiple release requests rejected over the past 18 months.
As reported by this masthead on Sunday, Hunt is wary of his contract dramas being a distraction for Mal Meninga’s side.
His camp’s disappointment in the timing of St George Illawarra’s decision – two weeks before Hunt is a free agent on November 1 – has been relayed to the club and coach Shane Flanagan.
Despite being linked to the Dolphins and Bulldogs, Hunt has told his management that he does not want to entertain any talks until after the Pacific Championships final on November 10.
Hunt was told before departing for Kangaroos duties that a 2025 release was not in the Dragons’ plans and that he would be expected to return in January for pre-season training.
Hunt’s captaincy is likely to again come under the microscope given the ongoing drama around his future.
With the Dragons planning for Hunt’s salary – estimated at around $950,000 next year – to be carried on their cap, the club is anticipating only being able to afford Clint Gutherson or Josh Addo-Carr, not both former NSW Origin backs.
Gutherson shapes as the Dragons’ recruitment priority after he was recently granted permission to explore his options early as well, given his experience and ability to play fullback.
Eels coach Jason Ryles has told the Parramatta skipper that an extension could not be offered given the uncertainty around his move to a utility role.
Gutherson has not made a decision on his future and is yet to meet with Flanagan, while the Eels are considering making a bid for former Warriors playmaker Volkman as a back-up half.
Manly have expressed interest in the 22-year-old in a similar role after an off-season signing saga that ended in the Dragons being issued a $40,000 NRL fine.
Volkman has recovered from the shoulder injury that scuppered his Dragons move last January and left him $175,000 out of pocket until a confidential settlement with the club was reached two months ago.
Sivo, meanwhile, is expected to link with ex-Eels coach Brad Arthur at Leeds as a deal nears completion.
Bulldogs general manager Phil Gould hinted at the developments during commentary of Saturday’s Fiji-Papua New Guinea Test where Sivo was part of a Fijian side humbled by the Kumuls.
The 31-year-old winger was permitted to look elsewhere by the Eels earlier this year and has a long-standing relationship with Arthur after being recruited from Penrith in 2019.
Sivo’s 104 tries in blue and gold from 115 appearances ranks him behind only Luke Burt (124), Jarryd Hayne (113) and Brett Kenny (110) in club history.
Sivo struggled for form at times in 2024, and was dropped by Arthur earlier this year, before reclaiming his spot late in the season under interim coach Trent Barrett.
The Eels are expected to contribute to Sivo’s 2025 salary, as they will with Reagan Campbell-Gillard’s three-year Gold Coast deal after he was released at the start of the month.
Replies
Huh? We are paying a bit of RCG's salary?
only for 2025, about 200k
Why woud we do that, it essentially negates the reason for him going with a year to run on his contract.
We released him without commitment on my understanding.
Joel I am intrigued as to you coming up with theat number as the only people that would know the absolute answer are the two clubs concerned and RCG.
Do you make these things up or hear about on FB or something.
PS The guys that write the original article would not have a clue either.
Another one for your Jurno's blog pops.
Gillard was fully released by mutal agreement from his contract, prior to knowing who or where he was going to play. Gillards reason he gets 3 years instead of 1 at the Eels. The Eels get his cap money to spend elsewhere.
The club has also come out and stated they will not pay players to play elsewhere or against them.
So unless the Board are bullshitting us, i dont know where the jurno's are getting their "possible false" info from.
Happy to be corrected though if someone has 1st hand knowledge or reputable source etc.
correct blue eel my guess is he signed for 550 odd for 3 years and lazy journos ignored the mutual release and presumed incorrectly parra would make up the difference
Why do we need Volkman now we have Hawkins? Naaah.
Volkman is cheap and a good young talent and there is still uncertainty around Dylan's contract and he has a partial ACL these historically turn into a full torn ACL.
Mitch hasn't finished the last 2 season having 2 quality back ups is a good thing and depth creates competition for spots and that's a good thing
Conclusion
A partial ACL injury progressed to a complete ACL tear in 39% of young active patients treated nonoperatively. Patient age ≤20 years and participation in pivoting contact sports were identified as significant risk factors for the progression to a complete tear. (this is an extract from Google, worthwhile reading the whole article....talk about contradictions and indicators).
I would like to get an update on DB's injury......just read a stack of stuff on ACL tears, not the least being misdiagnosis....... I hope we have not just let him walk away with that injury and that we have a ful and proper diagnosis and that he is on a formal rehab structure.....this upcoming season can be totally fcuked if Moses and Brown go down, regardless of our depth being better.
Is there a reporting mechanism on our injury list at this time of the year?
There's no injury report in the off-season as the players aren't required to be at the club per their contracts.
I doubt we've mis-diagnosed his injury and he will undoubtedly be on a rehab plan. Wouldn't surprise if he's restricted for the first part of pre-season.
Twiddle, Volk, Hawkins, Hands. Good quality young back up Spine.
Quality depth has never been a bigger factor then it is now.
Also helps us with future negotiations for off contract stars.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next