Ahhhh Ben

[Headless Chook]

Nice! I don’t give a flying about where he has captained, I’m merely putting forward my belief that when I watch him captain us, and the way he communicates with the team in key moments - it’s mediocre.

Didn't realise you were in the players huddle to hear what he's saying or are you a fantastic lip reader. The whole captaincy thing is overblown, other than captains challenges they have little impact on a game and if you're getting pumped, a few words from an individual won't make any difference

[Bates]

Have we made a grand final with Teddy as our captain?

[Fishwa]

i think the old days of 1 captain is long gone - they all have a number of players who lead on and off the field. if you look at last year;

Teddy - led by example on the field, and i dare say at training as well. plus (and this cant get underestimated) was the face of the club / in front of camera's etc. not all players like that stuff
Keary - clearly cause of position and experience, led the team around the field
JWH - if a player was slacking off - i dare say he was called in to fix......

which back to topic - i think thats why Ben Hunt would now be on the radar as well - added experience and leadership

[HDTONE]

I have never been a fan of Hunt, but considering he can fill 7 and 9 , and with Walker and smith out for over half the season, I’m warming to the signing .

This ^^^^^^

I think this might sum up what a good few folks think.

It also takes pressure of Sandon to fire up early because honestly a Sandon Chad combo is a make do at best. And why wouldn't Hunt be pissed at the Queens who just go nowhere and the bloke if he moves to us he gets the chance to hopefully play dep into the finals series and tbh I reckon he'd go OK cause he'd have a point to prove.

[Horry]

Injured Sydney Roosters young gun Sam Walker has endorsed the club’s pursuit of Ben Hunt and is relishing the prospect of joining forces with the Queensland Origin star at Bondi next season.

Walker will be sidelined for another six or seven months after undergoing a knee reconstruction and takes no offence at the Roosters targeting Hunt to bolster their playmaking stocks in 2025.

As revealed by this masthead, Hunt’s preference is to remain in Sydney – opening the door for Canterbury and the Roosters, who are set to meet with the former St George Illawarra skipper.

With Walker set to be sidelined until at least June, the Roosters need back up at the scrumbase, with Hunt shaping as a halfback or hooking option to support Sandon Smith and Chad Townsend.

Walker is the Roosters’ first-choice playmaker and the wily No.7 urged coach Trent Robinson to go hard for Hunt, saying he would be a valuable asset in the Chooks’ quest to win their first premiership since 2019.

Asked if he hopes Hunt ends up at Bondi, Walker said: “Yeah, for sure.

“Benny Hunt is one of the best players running around in the NRL and if we can add someone of his quality into our team that would be a huge boost.”

The Roosters appear to have the salary-cap space to accommodate Hunt following the off-season departures of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joey Manu, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Walker’s ex-halves partner Luke Keary.

That’s more than $2 million in contract value and while others, such as Walker, required upgrades, Hunt’s value, estimated to be around $700,000 to $900,000 a season, is not beyond the Roosters’ reach.

The Broncos and Dolphins are also keen to lure Hunt back to Queensland, but the Roosters rarely lose out in a bidding war.

The 34-year-old is one of the most versatile players in the league and would be a crucial contingency for the Roosters given his ability to cover for Walker and Brandon Smith (knee) by playing halfback, hooker or five-eighth.

While the Dolphins have around $1.3 million free in the salary cap, one major attraction for Hunt is conquering his final frontier – winning an NRL premiership.

The Broncos and Roosters both have the rosters to help Hunt, who is keen to play two more seasons, achieve that goal in his twilight years.

Walker says he wouldn’t feel threatened if the Roosters won Hunt’s signature.

“I have no issue with it at all,” he said.

“It would be massive for us as a club to get Ben.”

“He’s played Origin and Test footy, he’s pretty much done it all in the game, so if Ben Hunt wants to come to the Roosters, I wouldn’t say no.”

Walker snapped his ACL in September on the eve of the NRL finals and is currently in Queensland visiting family.

The 22-year-old also underwent a shoulder reconstruction and says his recovery is progressing well.

“It’s been tough,” he said.

“I’ve just got out of the knee brace and having the sling collar (around his shoulder) was a bit tough, but it’s not too bad now.

“I’ll go back to training and do about a month before Christmas and put as much strength in my body as I can.”

[Headless Chook]

Have we made a grand final with Teddy as our captain?

Did the Dragons make the 8 with Hunt as captain?

[Bates]

Did the Dragons make the 8 with Hunt as captain?

They never had the star studded roster that we had.

[Headless Chook]

They never had the star studded roster that we had.

Definitely not, but they have had teams that should have finished much higher than what they did.

[Swamptrout]

Danny weidler now reporting hunt is meeting with broncos in the next 48hrs. Wtf is going on.

[Bansai Pipeline]

I’m only mildly interested about Hunt as he seems to be the only prospect for an off season recruit

He comes, great.

He don’t, big deal.

He’s no Cronk or Sonny.

[Bansai Pipeline]

He could be a fairytale signing who resurrects his career.

Or he could be an out of position mystery man who Robbo puts at 9, 4, 1 and can’t figure out

[Bansai Pipeline]

Nice! I don’t give a flying about where he has captained, I’m merely putting forward my belief that when I watch him captain us, and the way he communicates with the team in key moments - it’s mediocre.

I agree. Dullard of a captain. Makes bad on field calls under pressure. Will take the 2 when we have them on the ropes for example. Also can’t charm or persuade a referee to save himself.

Love hate opinion of him overall. We’re terrible when he doesn’t play but he’s also why we lost Latrell and Manu.

[ism22]

He could be a fairytale signing who resurrects his career.

Or he could be an out of position mystery man who Robbo puts at 9, 4, 1 and can’t figure out

Agreed - I'm in two minds about him. I reckon he's a talented player but his attitude at St George has been a bit poor.

Same can be said about a heap of our players who seem to have worked out though. People love to criticise Robbo but he's ignited passion/confidence in a lot of players who others have written off.

[ChookMaster]

[QUOTE=Bansai Pipeline;n1079823]

I agree. Dullard of a captain. Makes bad on field calls under pressure. Will take the 2 when we have them on the ropes for example. Also can’t charm or persuade a referee to save himself.

Love hate opinion of him overall. We’re terrible when he doesn’t play but he’s also why we lost Latrell and Manu.

[/QUOTE

Regarding the captaincy…. I agree. Has had some shocking on field challenges and he’s been picked up several times before on the mic abusing a player who hasn’t passed him the ball. HOWEVER it’s all love from me for Ted.

[weplayforprems]

He immediately would improve our chances of having a better 2025.

If he wants 2 years and is ok with playing hooker in 2026 when Cheese gets let go I reckon it could be a really good move.