It's been a tale of two seasons for the Storm and the Dragons in 2024; one team dominating so entirely that they claimed the minor premiership with two rounds in hand, and another knocked out of finals contention after setting a record for most points ever scored in a loss.
But as both Melbourne and St. George Illawarra approach their off-seasons - albeit a few weeks apart - it looks like the two sides could be linked once more, with one of the Storm's rising talents being tipped by some to replace the current Dragons' captain and star.
Following fiery scenes with head coach Shane Flanagan after being all-but-eliminated from finals contention by Parramatta, Ben Hunt's career as a Dragon could be over, and a hometown hero is being tipped by some to replace him in the number seven jersey.
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Storm rising star tipped for Dragons' homecoming
While there have been no indications that Hunt will leave the Dragons, the prospect of him departing the club have been floated in the past, and a clash with Flanagan in full view of TV cameras last weekend could once again agitate things.
If Hunt is to move on, one name the Dragons could consider is Tyran Wishart, with veteran NRL reporter Buzz Rothfield noting that Wishart, who is originally from the Illawarra/South Coast, could be the team's next halfback.
"[Hunt] is getting on and I believe if they had another option and could do a swap, I don’t think they would stand in the way of Ben Hunt wanting to go back to Queensland," Rothfield said on NRL 360.
"[Flanagan] can speak to Wishart, a Wollongong boy, in November.
"If he was to offer ridiculous money, which he is worth and sign him, I think they would look at it.
"Melbourne can’t keep them all."
Wishart's father Rod played 177 first-grade games, starting with the Steelers before continuing with St George-Illawarra following the merge, during a standout career which also saw him play for the Blues and Australia.
On last week's Late Night with Matty Johns, Johns labelled Wishart as the form player of the NRL, while guest host Nate Myles claimed the youngster could contend for a spot on the Blues side for the 2025 State of Origin series.
"Honestly in the last five or six weeks, I don’t think there’s anyone in the competition that’s played better than him," Johns said.
"At this point he’s a pretty handy 14, you can play him anywhere. Nine, seven, six."
"[I said] he was going to be the New South Wales No. 14 next year," Myles added.
