Ahhhh Ben

[HDTONE]

For me if it's Hunt v Chad.....I hoping for Hunt. At least he'd get picked in any 1st grade side no questions.

[HunchoRooster]

I do think there is a disconnect with some on here suggesting he has a bad attitude + he will be given a major leadership role.

Two things to note. Firstly, I don't think his attitude has ever really been questioned on the field. One of his main traits is his competitiveness. Obviously all the conjecture around the Dragons fiasco and wanting out on the surface isn't the best look. To me however, it seems his priority is winning. He has been the Dragons best player every season he's been there and has continued to perform at rep level standard. He was the marquee player there and obviously demanded some things go his way in an effort to increase his chances of being successful (in his mind). I think it would be more of a slight on his character if he sat back and collected 1mil+ and made no noise on the poor on field state of the club, so long as he was getting paid. Many players do this.

Secondly, I highly doubt he will usurp Teddy or anyone already within the leadership group. He will bring experience and nous I'm sure but will be explicitly told what his role is should he come. I also think him coming to us would be a clear marker he considers us a good chance of winning something (more faith than I have in the side). All of these things are positive. If he goes to the Dolphins on 1.1m then we can question his attitude and desire.

He is a walk up start in our side at either 9 or in the halves. He improves the team massively and I would welcome the news.

["gaz"]

2025. The Roosters first grade ' proper ' hooker is ??

Conner Watson

[BTRD]

2025. The Roosters first grade ' proper ' hooker is ??

[theGman]

Apparently looking to ofoad Brandon asap....so that means to me that they're pretty sure they've bagged Hunt.

Can't find the article that said this about Smith... we'll see I guess.

Reckon an announcement will be this week

Damaged goods, buyer beware.

Fortunately however, the likes of Parra and Manly are craving for a no.9 so, adios.

[ism22]

Apparently looking to ofoad Brandon asap....so that means to me that they're pretty sure they've bagged Hunt.

Can't find the article that said this about Smith... we'll see I guess.

Reckon an announcement will be this week

My friends from the Gong are all messaging me non-stop with local news reports about us signing Hunt.

Sounds as though we've definitely expressed interest but surely it's a stop-gap solution for while Walker and Smith are injured? Also we can't just simply move Smith on ASAP as he's injured long-term. It just seems like there's a mismatch between the two events IMO.

[HDTONE]

Apparently looking to ofoad Brandon asap....so that means to me that they're pretty sure they've bagged Hunt.

Can't find the article that said this about Smith... we'll see I guess.

Reckon an announcement will be this week

[The Real King]

The only discussion being had is 1 or 2 years

[Fishwa]

I do think if he was to come to the Roosters, the discussions would clearly be what role he plays within the team.

obviously, Walker replacement initially, but then, weather its become the No 6, No 9 or 14 - i am sure those discussions would have occurred. and to be frank - if he wants to just play in the halves and nowhere else, i simply don't think he will sign with the Roosters (the Dogs, and Dolphins id say would play him exclusively as a half - broncos possibly as well).

similarly - his role as a leader in the team would also be established. also - i think players at the end of the career, looking for a change in club, you never know what they will look to finish off their career - many sign for teams to play specific roles, others just happy to be given a new challenge. he may have been stubborn that he would only play in the Halves at the Dragons - but things and circumstances change. but if he doesnt - then he simply wont sign and we all move on - that's his prerogative

so really - i think its simple - if he agrees to the chooks - i think the positional discussions would be agreed in advance.

[SamKerrSimp]

He hasn't said much on any of it to be honest has he?

That's because he leaks everything to the media, he got called out publicly by Flanagan a few weeks ago for leaking stuff to the media that only Flanagan, Hunt and Dean Young could know about it and the media for years has had intimate knowledge of Ben Hunt's plans and desires to get out of St George. He also said a few years ago that he doesn't like playing hooker and doesn't want to play hooker but he does it for the team but that was when his hand picked buddy was the coach.

[Kentucky_Fried_Rooster]

I'm not sold on Hunt but not against him either.
If we sign him good and if not I don't really care.
The merge won't be tipping in any of his contract and the NRL won't register him at under's and from what I understand he is on about a million a season and I think we can use that sort of coin smatter.

[Crab]

He hasn't said much on any of it to be honest has he? All we know is last year he wanted to return back to Qld but now even that doesn't seem to be as true anymore.

It's certainly the only reason I think we should entertain signing him is if he's chasing that premiership dream and willing to play 9 to get it. Otherwise we should be ready to capatalise on the fall out of another club signing him because I don't think the Bulldogs, Broncos, Dolphins or Titans have the salary cap space to sign him which means they will need to release a mid to top tier contracted player which may present a more appealing opportunity for us.

Payne Haas, Herbie Farnwoth or Brian Kelly would work for me...

Agree with Brian Kelly , he's solid !

[Rooster_6]

Has Ben Hunt mentioned anywhere that he is willing to go to another club and play dummy half?

Plays 9 in origin as a interchange player, but i doubt he wants to play his last two years as a tackling machine.

He hasn't said much on any of it to be honest has he? All we know is last year he wanted to return back to Qld but now even that doesn't seem to be as true anymore.

It's certainly the only reason I think we should entertain signing him is if he's chasing that premiership dream and willing to play 9 to get it. Otherwise we should be ready to capatalise on the fall out of another club signing him because I don't think the Bulldogs, Broncos, Dolphins or Titans have the salary cap space to sign him which means they will need to release a mid to top tier contracted player which may present a more appealing opportunity for us.

Payne Haas, Herbie Farnwoth or Brian Kelly would work for me...

[milanja]

For some perspective last year our top 4 players with the most tries, try assists and try contributions were;

Teddy - 60
Walker - 52
Keary - 49
Manu - 31

I know it sounds like a crazy thing to say given how easily we racked up points last year but point creation should be a concern without Walker (3-4months) & Keary/Manu moving on. Teddy will by default become less effective because with less options teams will be able to game plan and spot him easier. Whoever gets the centre spots out of Smith, Marky Mark or Toia aren't going to be creators and then you've got Townsend who's a real traditional organiser, a lot of his points come off structured play and kicking game which puts a huge over reliance on Sandon Smith who's still largely untested at this level, certainly week to week.

Ben Hunt finished the season 8th for total try involvements in the NRL on 48, just one behind Keary in a side I would say struggled to put on points at the best of time.

For that reason and the fact that I think he's a better dummy half option than Brandon Smith I would sign him but if the plan is to keep him in the halves with Walker then I'm not for it, I don't think we need two creators in the halves again. I like the temperament of Sandon Smith and I really want to see what this side looks like with him in the halves for a full year.

Maybe the side not having many points in it for the first 3-4 months might be a blessing in disguise and we will be forced to build a base around defence and some grit that we seem to lack when we come up against Penriff & Storms.

Has Ben Hunt mentioned anywhere that he is willing to go to another club and play dummy half?

Plays 9 in origin as a interchange player, but i doubt he wants to play his last two years as a tackling machine.

[Rooster_6]

For some perspective last year our top 4 players with the most tries, try assists and try contributions were;

Teddy - 60
Walker - 52
Keary - 49
Manu - 31

I know it sounds like a crazy thing to say given how easily we racked up points last year but point creation should be a concern without Walker (3-4months) & Keary/Manu moving on. Teddy will by default become less effective because with less options teams will be able to game plan and spot him easier. Whoever gets the centre spots out of Smith, Marky Mark or Toia aren't going to be creators and then you've got Townsend who's a real traditional organiser, a lot of his points come off structured play and kicking game which puts a huge over reliance on Sandon Smith who's still largely untested at this level, certainly week to week.

Ben Hunt finished the season 8th for total try involvements in the NRL on 48, just one behind Keary in a side I would say struggled to put on points at the best of time.

For that reason and the fact that I think he's a better dummy half option than Brandon Smith I would sign him but if the plan is to keep him in the halves with Walker then I'm not for it, I don't think we need two creators in the halves again. I like the temperament of Sandon Smith and I really want to see what this side looks like with him in the halves for a full year.

Maybe the side not having many points in it for the first 3-4 months might be a blessing in disguise and we will be forced to build a base around defence and some grit that we seem to lack when we come up against Penriff & Storms.