Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett believes there has to be a better contract system for the NRL after Ben Hunt requested a release from his contract that ends in 2025.
The Dragons halfback has been linked with a number of Queensland clubs after he stated his preference to return home, which includes the Gold Coast Titans, Brisbane Broncos and Bennett's Dolphins. Those clubs were then sent a please explain from the NRL over the situation.
The master coach was blunt in his response to whether the Dolphins were chasing him, simply saying "no" when asked.
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Bennett was more expansive when asked about players switching clubs mid-season.
"That's another issue, we pay a lot of people to run the game so I'm not going to make a comment on it," he said after his side's 48-20 loss to the Eels.
Under the anti-tampering rules, a player isn't allowed to field a formal offer from another club until November 1 in the year before his contract expires.
However, discussion is allowed around any period they are off contract. Hunt isn't without a contract until 2026, though.
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The Dolphins have previously come under fire from the Broncos after the latter lodged a complaint with the NRL, accusing the Dolphins of trying to entice young gun Deine Mariner to the club.
Bennett did make comment on the lack of satisfaction the contract issue brings to all parties.
"Well it depends, the disappointing thing for me is there's no accountability with it, that's the disappointing part for me personally for the game, not just on this incident," he said.
"We all go and sign contracts, we all go and make deals, I just think there's got to be something better than what we're doing right now."
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