Dragons Deny Allegations of Impropriety Following Ben Hunt’s $2.7M Property Purchase from Sponsor

Benjamin Sue June 6, 2024

71 2 minutes read

The St George Illawarra Dragons have dismissed any allegations of impropriety following Ben Hunt and his wife Bridget’s purchase of a $2.7 million property from a key club sponsor. The Hunts recently acquired the Byron Bay Hinterland property from Norm Black, co-owner of Dragons sponsor TripADeal. Initially listed at $2.95 million, Hunt secured the property for $2.7 million after staying there with his family over Christmas.

Norm Black has strongly denied any suggestion that the property sale was a “financial sweetener” amid Hunt’s ongoing contract negotiations with the Dragons. According to the Courier Mail, the NRL does not plan to investigate the sale for potential salary cap implications. Black emphasized, “There’s no cap issues at all – any suggestion of that is nonsense. Hunty paid $2.7 million for it – it’s not like he got it for nothing. There’s no cheating of the cap.”

Ben Hunt of the Dragons walks out onto the field with his family for his 300th NRL game during the round 11 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and St George Illawarra Dragons at Qld Country Bank Stadium on May 13, 2023 in Townsville, Australia

The controversy arises as the Dragons seek to extend Hunt’s contract beyond 2025. Hunt, who joined St George Illawarra in 2018 after starting his career with the Brisbane Broncos, had requested a release last year to return to Queensland. However, new coach Shane Flanagan persuaded him to stay. Despite being under contract until the end of 2025, Hunt has not ruled out a move, with the Gold Coast Titans emerging as a potential destination after talks with the Dragons stalled.

Hunt told the Courier Mail, “I am not closing the door on anything at all. At the moment, I’m happy at the Dragons and we’ll work through it. There’s no talks at the moment. I am trying to focus on a few other things at the Dragons and get our team going in the right direction. We’re in the Origin period now so that (Dragons contract talks) might be on the back-burner, there’s no rush for anything down there. We’ll sort it out.”

Queensland legend Billy Moore believes Hunt would be an ideal fit for Des Hasler’s Titans. “The Titans are beginning to improve under Des Hasler’s coaching and if you drop Hunt into that team when he plays with the same determination, belief, and courage, he would make the Titans a genuine finals team,” Moore said. He added that Hunt’s presence could elevate the Titans in a manner similar to Adam Reynolds’ impact on the Broncos.

Despite a strong start to the season, where Hunt led the NRL with 16 try assists heading into Round 13, his form has dipped, and the Dragons have fallen to 13th on the ladder with a 5-6 record. Nevertheless, Hunt has maintained his position in Billy Slater’s Queensland side for State of Origin.