​St George Illawarra are embracing the heat on them and coach Paul McGregor, declaring they deserve any criticism that's coming their way.

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett will stand by Ben Hunt despite the halfback's rich five-year deal with NRL rivals St George Illawarra.

Premiership-winning halfback Brent Sherwin reckons Ben Hunt will take St George Illawarra to an NRL title, if he can handle the intense pressure of being the club's new marquee man.

St George Illawarra have confirmed the signing of Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt for the 2018 NRL season.

Brisbane halfback Ben Hunt has reportedly agreed to a big-money six-year NRL deal to join St George Illawarra for the 2018 season.

The Wests Tigers need to lock up their four biggest names who are off-contract at the end of 2017. And they've made a significant addition which could help them keep Aaron Woods, James Tedesco, Mitchell Moses and Luke Brooks at the club.

In the absence of their Kangaroos stars, Jack de Belin had hoped to lead by example at St George Illawarra pre-season training.

St George-Illawarra will look internally before considering whether to make a play for Todd Carney, Chris Sandow or Jackson Hastings following young halfback Drew Hutchison's long-term knee injury.

St George Illawarra have been left reeling by a season-ending ACL injury to young halfback Drew Hutchison less than a week before the club breaks up for Christmas.

• EXCLUSIVE

Young gun Luciano Leilua has knocked back interest from rival clubs to re-commit to St George Illawarra on a lucrative two-year deal.

St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor will take a step away from recruitment and retention next year after admitting instability around player contracts was a huge factor in the Dragons disappointing 2016 season.

Former NRL star Matt Cooper has revealed he's been fighting a battle against an addiction to painkillers since retiring from St George Illawarra in 2011.

When your girlfriend tells you your spending too much time with someone, it's probably best to listen. But Nene Macdonald hasn't. And doesn't plan on doing so if it means he can get a head start at his new club.

Mitch Rein has opened up about the toll his departure from St George Illawarra has taken, revealing he is relieved to be free of the "limitations" the Dragons coaching staff put on the side's sputtering attack.

The Dragons have confirmed the signing of Raiders prop Paul Vaughan on a three-year deal.

Canberra Raiders prop Paul Vaughan accepts big money, three-year deal to join St George.

He has arguably Australia's greatest exponent of centre play standing just a few feet away at training each day, but it's an entirely different message Josh Dugan has ringing in his ears from Mal Meninga.

Benji Marshall has marked his departure from St George Illawarra with a heartfelt apology to Dragons' fans.

Mark Coyne will return to the Dragons as part of a football performance committee tasked with getting the underperforming club back on track.