LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Dragons' fortunes have taken a downward spiral as Ben Hunt's departure has seen them drop below the Wests Tigers in the wooden spoon betting battle.
This shift in the rugby league landscape has been compared to a game-changing tackle or a sudden turnover in possession.
With the exit of Hunt from St George Illawarra, punters have pegged the Dragons as $5 favorites to finish at the bottom of the ladder in the upcoming NRL season.
Despite an improved showing under Shane Flanagan, the Red V find themselves at $67 odds to lift the premiership trophy.
It seems that Hunt's absence, along with Zac Lomax's departure, has created a gap that will be hard for the Dragons to fill, even with the addition of rep stars Damien Cook, Clint Gutherson, and Val Holmes to their roster.
On the other hand, the Brisbane Broncos have received a significant boost with Hunt's return to the club.
This news has catapulted them to the position of the third best-backed team in the competition.
A TAB spokesperson highlighted the shift in fortunes, stating that the Tigers initially held the longest odds to win it all until Hunt's return to Brisbane changed the game.
The Dragons, on the other hand, have seen their odds pushed out, indicating the perceived impact of losing key players like Hunt and Lomax.
It looks like it might be a tough battle for the Dragons as they adjust to their new lineup.