Channel Nine expert commentator Phil Gould, football boss at Canterbury-Bankstown, has fired a shot at the NRL after being asked a hypothetical question regarding the future of St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt.

The Dragons have refused to release Hunt early from his contract and the halfback will instead see out of the season in the Big Red V but there had been speculation Hunt could join a rival like Brisbane on a short-term deal for the remainder of 2023.

“I’ll tell you where the system is broken,” Gould began on Channel Nine’s 100% Footy.

“If Ben Hunt wanted to leave the Dragons mid-season then he should have to go into a draft and the first team that gets to pick is the team running last in the competition.

“That might stop them from doing that.”

Hunt is expected to sign with a new team on a long-term deal from 2024 and has been linked with Gould’s Bulldogs but it appears Gold Coast are still the favourites after sacking Justin Holbrook as coach and replacing him with Des Hasler.