Wayne Bennett is backing St George Illawarra-bound Ben Hunt to lead Brisbane to a grand final in 2017 before beginning his contract with the Dragons.

Hunt signed a lucrative five-year deal with the Big Red V that the Broncos simply couldn’t match.

But the halfback has told Channel Nine there are no hard feelings.

“He knows that I’m here to give 100 per cent for this team, he knows how much I enjoy playing for the Broncos and all my teamamtes that I have here,” Hunt said.

“He’s assured me that he’s going to go with me this year and I’m going to chase a premiership.

“I went up and had a chat to him and just told him that it was what’s best for my family and I had to think about them first. He was really supportive.”

Bennett famously left Brisbane for the Saints where he won a premiership in 2010.