Canberra Raiders express interest in signing Ben Hunt?

[NoMan]

Rivals ready to ramp up Hunt pursuit

Rival clubs are growing increasingly bullish at the prospect of Dragons skipper Ben Hunt hitting the open market. Hunt, 33, is contracted to the club until the end of 2025.

The Raiders’ interest is understood to have been relayed to Hunt’s management by a third party recently given Jack Wighton’s move to South Sydney frees up a significant portion of their salary cap. The Titans might hold a trump card, as Hunt is reportedly interested in moving his family back to Queensland.

Read more: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/rivals ... 5ddrk.html

There is an article in the SMH that says the Raiders have relayed their interest in Ben Hunt to his manager via a third party. Gold Coast are the other interested party. I also heard Furner on the Radio on Saturday and he said there was no Jack replacement on the market right now and they were just being patient to see if someone on contract becomes available, which squares with the Hunt story.

I wasn't a fan given his age but with our middles playing they way they are I think the Raiders become an instant contender if they sign him and a back rower.

[Finchy]

I read an article a few weeks ago where Ben Hunt named the top 5 players he enjoyed playing Origin with over the years.

One of his favourites was Big Papa. He might enjoy linking up with the big fella again at club level. We can only hope.

[BadnMean]

I'd back recruiting Hunt for 2 years. He's still playing good football- albeit not quite consistently, but... Dragons.

I don't think we have long enough left of Papa's peak and Tarps another couple of years hopefully. We don't have time to bake our own premiership winning half in that time.

The rest of our team has some good players but is matched or surpassed by plenty of other teams as a halves combo or a back 5. Our middle of those two + Hors is top drawer. That's our edge. I'd be putting parts in around those two, not letting them rot while we wait in vain hope...

Yes we have Schneider. I remain unconvinced but it might do him good to have Hunt to learn off and if Schneider is "it" he'll be able to push someone out in a year or two.

[rolhai]

Cummon Donnie, get it done!

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[BJ]

Ben Hunt and the Raiders would be a perfect fit for both parties. He’d revel behind our strong forward pack and would love hitting tackle breakers Timoko and Seb Kris. Raiders desperately need a player with vision and a strong passing game.

The two most talked about grand final moments of the last decade are Hunts dropped ball and the 6 again debacle. Maybe the greatest grand final redemption story in decades could happen with both parties at the one club.

[gerg]

Great news but playing devils advocate for a moment, this is totally a scenario where if roles were reversed ole Don and Stick would be whinging through the media about approaching a contracted player.

[The Nickman]

Great news but playing devils advocate for a moment, this is totally a scenario where if roles were reversed ole Don and Stick would be whinging through the media about approaching a contracted player.

Hahaha this whole forum would be blowing up a right old treat!

[Canberra Milk]

I agree Hunt is a no brainer. He'd surely get the biggest pay cheque from us too

Would have loved to see what he could do with Savage but yeah him, Kris, Timoko, there's some strike there

[Botman]

All clubs do this. Hunt's manager right now knows exactly who would want him and what they'd be willing to pay.
Hope we're in the... Hunt....

in the Hunt.... Right. ill get my coat.

[-PJ-]

Ben Hunt has a great kicking game as well.

[-PJ-]

We have the $$$.

Just wave it at Ben Hunt.

[Elcaptcroker]

A question could be asked is he residing in sydney or the gong?

Illawarra isnt that far from canberra, and the coin we'd throw at him would mean he wouldnt have to sell his house there and it can be convenient and can still use it, but might be abit different if he was in sydney


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[GreenMachine]

Not sure about this...
We should be moving away from signing players in their 30s imo..

[Finchy]

Not sure about this...
We should be moving away from signing players in their 30s imo..

We have an absolute fortune to spend, no-one available to spend it on, and we can't bank it for later years.

Hunt is still playing high quality footy and is a current Origin rep. Throw the bank at him for 2 years and see what comes up later.

Baulking at him because he's in his 30's, and running with Frawley or Schneider as our starting half instead is stupid IMO.

[-PJ-]

Not sure about this...
We should be moving away from signing players in their 30s imo..

Halfbacks generally play in dinner suits, the smart ones rarely get tackled with the ball.

If they stay fit they are still very handy in their 30s.

Look at Reynolds at the Donkeys..DCE at Manly.

[bonehead]

ah yes the old ramp

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[benda]

Please don't disturb Fog. If this ensures he has a starting role, I think it's great.

[Rickmando]

I like the sound of this, a lot.

Frankly, he’s one of the few potential recruits with the experience and ability to essentially be the on-field coach that makes up for our inept off-field one.

And I think his footy is actually getting better with time! You’d risk the physical cliff for a bloke like him

[jimmy82]

I agree Hunt is a no brainer. He'd surely get the biggest pay cheque from us too

Would have loved to see what he could do with Savage but yeah him, Kris, Timoko, there's some strike there

he aint going to stop Savage getting dragged back 5 metres every time he hits it up and he certainly aint going to stop him getting dragged into touch.

[Canberra Milk]

I agree Hunt is a no brainer. He'd surely get the biggest pay cheque from us too

Would have loved to see what he could do with Savage but yeah him, Kris, Timoko, there's some strike there

he aint going to stop Savage getting dragged back 5 metres every time he hits it up and he certainly aint going to stop him getting dragged into touch.

165 metres per game while getting dragged back every hitup... very impressive

[Botman]

Not sure about this...
We should be moving away from signing players in their 30s imo..

It’s not ideal
But it buys us 2 years time and will imo provide some on field results that might be beneficial to luring a high rated younger talent guy to groom behind him

[jimmy82]

I agree Hunt is a no brainer. He'd surely get the biggest pay cheque from us too

Would have loved to see what he could do with Savage but yeah him, Kris, Timoko, there's some strike there

he aint going to stop Savage getting dragged back 5 metres every time he hits it up and he certainly aint going to stop him getting dragged into touch.

165 metres per game while getting dragged back every hitup... very impressive

and equal top of the table as well

[julian87]

It’s a pretty big gamble but given the current climate I think it would have to be worth it. And depending on what’s happening with the cap if they could manipulate it for this season too it could really open up the current team as a chime in when he feels like 6 with Wighton moving into the backrow for the rest of the season.

[FROG]

I cannot see a hunt / fogarty halves pairing working. I appreciate hunt would be an upgrade on fogarty but would it be better than fogarty and a ball running half, like manu, I'm not so sure

[Finchy]

I cannot see a hunt / fogarty halves pairing working. I appreciate hunt would be an upgrade on fogarty but would it be better than fogarty and a ball running half, like manu, I'm not so sure

I feel like it could work well. Hunt probably has a stronger running game than organisational game. Yet he can still kick and pass very well.

If you buy him as a 6 rather than a 7 and still let Fog run the show, I think it would work ok.

[PerthRaider86]

Would you gamble sticking him at 9 (Like qld do) and have woolford come off the bench?

I know we want to keep playing woolford but would you say no to this (in a alternate universe)

6. Trindall / S. Walker(Manu in a fantasy world)
7. Fogarty
9. Hunt


14. Woolford

[Finchy]

Would you gamble sticking him at 9 (Like qld do) and have woolford come off the bench?

I know we want to keep playing woolford but would you say no to this (in a alternate universe)

6. Trindall / S. Walker(Manu in a fantasy world)
7. Fogarty
9. Hunt


14. Woolford

He’s a very good 9, and if Woolford went down I’d want Hunt playing there over Starling or Danny **** Levi.

But I feel that if we manage to recruit him, we’d be wasting some of his talents not having him in the halves.

He generally only gets relegated to hooker when there are elite halves (DCE/Munster) in front of him. We don’t have that luxury.

[Canberra Milk]

He wouldn't want to come as a hooker, he doesn't like playing there

[Seiffert82]

Hunt would be a good signing. He's definitely not going to a club to play 9.

He and Fogarty have the personalities to be a good halves pairing IMO, but it would require very good coaching to get the balance right between the two.

Move Jack to lock or the edge. Win win.

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[BadnMean]

I agree Hunt is a no brainer. He'd surely get the biggest pay cheque from us too

Would have loved to see what he could do with Savage but yeah him, Kris, Timoko, there's some strike there

he aint going to stop Savage getting dragged back 5 metres every time he hits it up and he certainly aint going to stop him getting dragged into touch.

165 metres per game while getting dragged back every hitup... very impressive

It's the narrative mate. Numbers don't seem to affect it, not Kris being worse defensively or Savage doing... anything really. Fullbacks need to make yards like props apparently. Slater and Papenhuyen and Walsh and Kennedy are just weak gutted dog players.

PS. In what universe are we recruiting Hunt while also telling him he's not a good enough halfback (but yeah come join us) and can he please play out his final years getting his head bashed in defending in the middle and playing utility... Seriously?

[President Clinton]

6. Jamal Fogarty
7. Ben Hunt
12. Jack Wighton

[Neeeegz]

I agree Hunt is a no brainer. He'd surely get the biggest pay cheque from us too

Would have loved to see what he could do with Savage but yeah him, Kris, Timoko, there's some strike there

he aint going to stop Savage getting dragged back 5 metres every time he hits it up and he certainly aint going to stop him getting dragged into touch.

Savage has put on a bit of size this year, he was pretty solid I thought, his head just isn't right at the moment, can see that with his errors,
and i hope they sort it out soon, cause bloody hell, I like how quick he is

[Neeeegz]

Hunt is not coming to play **** hooker !! **** sake.
Some of you are insane, he said he doesn't like it. He's 33 and you want a 1.4m per year player doing 40 tackles a game ?
He will be in the halves with fogarty if he comes at all.
Jesus wept

1.4m for 2024
And 1.5m for 2025 to play number 6 is what I hope we offer Ben Hunt

Woolford makes the raiders forwards better, so does the trev when he comes back so hooker is something to look at next year

[Ruben Daley]

Definite yes to (the unlikely scenario of) signing Hunt. No-brainer. And agree there is no universe in which he says yes to coming here to play hooker - nor should there be one in which we think that's the best use of his talents.

[GreenMachine]

1.4m.and 1.5m?? THAT is nuts...
He'll be 34. Hard pass....