Huge change of heart: Hunt now eager to finish career with Dragons

Early extension talks have begun between St George Illawarra and Ben Hunt this week, with the Dragons captain now wanting to see out his NRL career leading the joint venture in a huge 180 from last year.

Hunt, now 34, is ready to make a huge show of faith in Shane Flanagan’s project and re-sign with the Red V for the 2026 NRL season.

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The gamechanging Queensland halfback is signed through to 2025 already, but there has been huge conjecture around whether he would play on with the Dragons beyond 2024. In what can only be described as a massive reversal, The Sporting Base understands he’s now eager to stay—and even extended his deal.

Hunt originally requested an immediate release from the final 18 months of his playing contract after the Dragons sacked Anthony Griffin, with his main reasoning being a return home.

Flanagan and the St George Illawarra bosses flatly denied his request.

Nine months later, the Dragons are holding preliminary conversations around Hunt’s 2026 plans, with the State of Origin utility privately suggesting he wants to see out his NRL career with the joint venture. It could easily be the final extension of his lengthy run in rugby league’s top-flight competition; he will be 36 when the 2026 season begins.

“Ben wants to be here,” Flanagan declared in a press conference earlier this week.

“Ben will see out his contract and maybe go further so don’t confuse the issue of Ben and Zac [Lomax]. They are two different issues.”

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If Hunt does extend through to 2026, he may eventually have played more games for the Dragons than his junior club, the Brisbane Broncos—the count is currently 187 to 129.