LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Ben Hunt sweepstakes have taken a turn as yet another NRL club has dropped out of the running, leaving the race shorter than ever.
The St George Illawarra Dragons have given Hunt the green light to explore other opportunities, sparking a frenzy among teams eager to secure his services.
A seasoned veteran of the NRL, Hunt's future has been in limbo since rumors surfaced last year that he was looking for an exit.
With his contract running until 2025, it seems likely that he will be donning a new jersey soon, as he has been granted permission to talk to other clubs before the November 1 deadline.
Following in the footsteps of the Canberra Raiders, Gold Coast Titans, and North Queensland Cowboys, the Canterbury Bulldogs have opted to bow out of the Ben Hunt race, according to reports from zerotackle.com.
The Bulldogs had been hot on Hunt's trail since September, but have now decided to shift their focus elsewhere.
With the competition heating up and teams jostling for position, Hunt's future hangs in the balance as he weighs his options and considers his next move in the high-stakes world of professional rugby league.