“If it wasn’t me,it would have to be Jack or Blake,they’re the next candidates,” he said. “We still need more senior players there,for sure. We need guys who are hard-nosed NRL players who know what it looks like to win,and what it looks like to train like a professional every day.”

Hunt said the last two months of the season had been the toughest of his career,and it had become“a bit harder to get out of bed each day”.

Pressed on this he plans moving forward,Hunt,who will represent the Prime Minister’s XIII and look to play for Australia in the end-of-season Tests,said:“Queensland has always been home,and if there’s ever an opportunity,I’d like to take it. At the moment,I’m at the Dragons,and I’ll do my best for them.”

The Titans were heavily linked to Hunt when news first broke about his desire to leave the Red V,but they have since signed Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and David Fifita to long-term deals worth a combined $15m.

The Broncos,where Hunt started his career,have Adam Reynolds signed until the end of 2024 – with a one-year extension set to be signed off – while the Dolphins and Wayne Bennett have indicated they are not in the race for the halfback who can double as a dummy-half.

Despite another disappointing year,the Dragons will be represented by Hunt,Zac Lomax and Tyrell Sloan in the PM’s XIII side,who will train out of Ipswich next week before playing Papua New Guinea.

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