After falling short of winning the 2022 Dally M Medal, Ben Hunt has reportedly knocked back a bumper extension from the Dragons, which could see him enter free agency come November 1.
Hunt had previously knocked back a smaller offer from the Dragons, with reports stating that star halfback was after more years and money on a new deal.
Speaking on SEN 1170 The Captain’s Run, Cameron Smith stated that the Dragons should match Hunt’s demands due to his impact on the side.
“I still feel that $850 (thousand) is value for him, given the way he played this year and the way he carried this footy side,” Smith said.
“Some of the matches they lost, they might have lost by 16 or 20 points if he wasn’t playing, they would of been beaten by 40, seriously.
“A lot of the games they won, they probably wouldn’t have won if he wasn’t there, he’s clearly making a huge difference to that footy side.
“If the club had come out said we want to give you $700 (thousand) and he said listen I want $850 (thousand), that’s pretty straight forward for me, I though the club would have said we will move $150 (thousand) to keep you.
Hunt has been one of the top-earners in the NRL, after signing a lucrative five-year deal in 2017 worth a reported $1.1 million dollars a season.
“You just don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors, if it’s as straight forward as that, I thought a deal would have been done by now," Smith said.
“The last thing they want to do is allow this to continue to November 1 where he becomes a free agent in this competition, because how many times do you hear people saying clubs are screaming out for a quality half… he ticks the box right there, Ben Hunt.
Reports are still stating both parties are optimistic about getting a deal done before the November 1st deadline and before Hunt’s departure for the World Cup later this year.