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Ben Hunt is set to meet with incoming St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan after the second State of Origin game as speculation around his future at the club culminated in reports of a release request.

But Flanagan, who takes charge of the struggling joint venture from the off-season, is bullish on keeping the halfback until his current contract expires at the end of 2025.

Hunt signed an extension in October but is famously close with ousted coach Anthony Griffin, under whom he became a regular starting halfback at Brisbane 10 years ago.

Since the Dragons sacked Griffin last month following a six-game losing streak, speculation has swirled Hunt could agitate for a release.

The situation came to a head on Saturday when the Nine Network reported Hunt had told those close to him he wanted out of the club, which has failed to qualify for the finals since 2018.

Concerns had already been raised this week when Hunt told media during Queensland's State of Origin camp he didn't know how Flanagan's appointment would affect his future.

Flanagan called Hunt before he had been confirmed as head coach to express his desire to field the 33-year-old at halfback rather than hooker, where he reluctantly spent time earlier this season.

On Saturday, the incoming Dragons coach reiterated his desire for Hunt to remain at the club in 2024, with the pair set for further contact once the halfback finishes his duties with Queensland on Wednesday night.

Flanagan is adamant no release will be entertained.

"From the club's perspective, Ben Hunt will be there," Flanagan told radio station 2GB's Continuous Call Team.

"He's got a contract. I spoke to Ben before I actually signed because I didn't want to become the Dragons coach and then (have) our halfback wanting out of the club, and he was fine with all that if I was to get the job.

"He's in Origin camp at the moment, and I'm not going to worry him while he's in there. I'll get to him next week and I'm sure that's OK.

"But from the club's perspective; he's our captain, he's our halfback and we need him. I won't be letting him go anywhere."

Hunt has been a shining light for the Dragons amid five years languishing outside the top eight, and finished third on the Dally M leaderboard last season.

His form has led him to be linked to cross-town rivals Canterbury, while Canberra would also have the wherewithal to make a play for him given Jack Wighton is shipping out to South Sydney at the end of the season.

A move back home to Queensland could also entice the halfback, who played nine seasons with Brisbane at the beginning of this career.

For their part, the Dragons have no shortage of other playmaking options, with highly touted local products Junior Amone and Jayden Sullivan currently jostling to partner Hunt in the halves.

Griffin's loyalty to Hunt had previously been a source of tension at the Red V; Sullivan requested an early release from his own contract in October when Hunt blocked his path to a full-time role in the starting side.

He later recanted and remains tied with the club through 2025, with Amone signed on until 2024.

© AAP 2023

Tim Tszyu has warned Carlos Ocampo to target his wounded forearm at his peril during a tense final face-off before their super-welterweight title showdown on the Gold Coast.

Australia's undefeated boxing superstar is defending the interim WBO belt he obtained with a savage ninth-round stoppage of American Tony Harrison in March for the first time.

Tszyu (22-0, 16KO) is also placing his unification blockbuster with undisputed divisional champion Jermell Charlo in jeopardy by stepping into the ring just 22 days after undergoing emergency surgery to repair his right forearm.

The 28-year-old needed 26 stitches to piece together the worst of the injury after being attacked by a friend's Pit Bull Terrier in Sydney.

But Tszyu bristled when asked on fight eve if his Mexican opponent would target the arm.

"What's there to target? Honestly, there's nothing to target. He'd be stupid if he tries," Tszyu said while showing everyone the scars.

"We're all good. It's healed up nicely. It's covered in a good spot. Even if the bloke hits me with it, whatever man. Whatever, nothing's gonna happen."

Tszyu expects to stop Ocampo (35-2, 23KO) with relentless body blows, insisting he has the South American covered "in every single way" but is also ready to go the distance if need be.

"I wouldn't be fighting if I think I'm going to lose, man. Let's just say that," he said.

"I'm there for the whole 12 rounds because I'm not underestimating this bloke because he's a tough opponent. If it happens earlier, it happens."

Tszyu, who hit the scales at 69.5kg compared to Ocampo's 69.74kg, methodically worked Harrison over before unleashing a flurry of brutal uppercuts that forced the referee to stop the fight in Sydney.

Claiming to be in even more supreme physical shape three months on, Tszyu is bracing for a very different contest on Sunday.

"This fight is a completely different style. One is more strategic. This one is going to be more of a dogfight," he predicted, adding he was raring to go during the face-off.

"I was in that Pit Bull mode, ready to go, and I was also able to relax. I was able to control myself. It's a stare down.

"I've had these two words that are Spanish in my mind over and over again. It's 'No Mas' (No More). That's the type of fight I intend to do."

Should he win, Tszyu and Charlo have been ordered to square off for the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF super-welterweight belts before a September 30 deadline in Las Vegas.

If he loses, Tszyu's dream of joining his legendary father Kostya as a unified world champion will be in tatters and Ocampo will take on Charlo for all the spoils.

Kostya boasted a five-from-five record over Mexicans during his Hall-of-Fame career and beat arguably the country's greatest ever, Julio Cesar Chavez.

"It doesn't matter," Ocampo said.

"I'm not one of those fighters who got beaten by Tim's father. I'm Carlos Ocampo and I'm going to show the difference between them and us.

"It's going to be a real war but it's not going to last very long and it's going to be (a) win by knockout."

© AAP 2023

Police have issued defect and infringement notices to the transport company at the centre of the Hunter Valley bus tragedy following raids on two depots.

Sunday night's crash near Greta killed 10 people, and nine others remain in hospital.

Thursday's depot raids by police investigators and National Heavy Vehicle Regulator inspectors involved the inspection of 20 buses at Linq Busline depots in Wyong on the NSW Central Coast and at East Gresford near Newcastle.

Seven defect and two infringement notices were issued after a cracked windscreen, oil leaks, inoperative seatbelts and vehicle lights and insecure seats were found.

Defect notices mean a problem needs to be fixed before the vehicle can be driven.

"The joint operation involved a comprehensive audit of documentation relating to fatigue, driver management, vehicle servicing and maintenance records, and safety management systems," a police statement issued on Thursday evening said.

Linq said in a statement that "one major defect identified in the fleet has been rectified" and minor defects were being rectified in accordance with the timelines set by the regulator.

On Thursday evening devastated family and friends of the victims of the wedding bus tragedy gathered near the site of the crash to grieve the 10 people who died and thank frontline workers.

Most of the 25 survivors treated in hospitals after the Sunday night crash at Greta have been discharged.

The nine who remain in hospital are in stable conditions, with seven at John Hunter Hospital and two at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW Health said.

More than 900 donations have been made since Wednesday to a fund for survivors, victims and their immediate families, with almost $500,000 raised.

The community of Singleton has been hardest hit by the disaster, with seven locals among the 10 people killed when the privately chartered bus crashed following a wedding at Wandin Estate Winery.

Cessnock mayor Jay Suvaal said the community would come together on Thursday evening to support the loved ones of those lost in the crash and pay tribute to the first responders.

"We're a really tight-knit community that does come together and support each other in times of need," he told AAP.

Locals have offered accommodation and support for victims and their families.

"People are just dropping in things like cake and biscuits to our crisis centres to make sure there's food available for the people there," Mr Suvaal said.

Mourners continue to make the sad pilgrimage to a makeshift memorial at the crash site, which is strewn with a growing pile of flowers, cards and teddy bears.

Counselling and support is being offered at centres in Singleton and Branxton.

Health Minister Ryan Park said mental health services would remain available for as long as they were needed.

"What I do know about these types of traumatic and devastating events is that often it's not in the hours and days afterwards where people need additional support - it's often in the weeks and months," he told reporters on Thursday.

"They've been through unimaginable grief and suffering."

The insurer managing the crash compensation claims is being urged to ensure extended family and friends of the victims receive support.

Only those directly involved in the crash or who had suffered psychological trauma due to the death or severe injury of a close relative are eligible for support under the state's compulsory third-party scheme.

Slater and Gordon lawyer Doug Williams called on the insurer to show compassion to those who have suffered due to the crash.

"It's (the scheme) so limited that the close friends and the extended family as well as members of the small community where many of those killed lived would be ineligible to claim treatment," he said.

Many of the victims were closely involved with the Singleton Roosters AFL club and the AFL Central Coast has cancelled its seniors matches this weekend out of respect.

Sydney Swans players will wear black armbands during this weekend's match against the Lions in memory of the victims.

"We are deeply saddened by the horrific events over the weekend," Swans chief Tom Harley said.

The bus driver, Brett Button, 58, faced Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving causing death.

Anyone wanting to support the families and injured with a donation is encouraged to visit www.rawcs.org.au.

© AAP 2023