The in-form play-makers will go head to head in Wollongong with a chance to land an early blow in the race for the Queensland No. 7 jumper.

Cherry-Evans has been the key to Manly's run of three straight wins, while Hunt produced a timely reminder of his claims in his side's 40-4 pasting of the Bulldogs last week.

Andrew McCullough's indifferent form in a misfiring Broncos outfit has seen many tip Hunt to shift to dummy-half for this year's series, while Cherry-Evans has been touted as a potential Origin skipper.

It seems the most likely scenario though Hunt remains in the race to play in his preferred position, with Dragons coach Paul McGregor making no attempt to play down the battle this week.

"[Cherry-Evans'] playing very good football, they're taking about him being captain for Queensland so obviously the judges around are saying his footy's quality," McGregor said.

"He's a big part of their football team because he's the main kicker and he touches the ball a lot more than their other half [Kane Elgey]. He's got good speed, he likes short-sides.

"We've got a good No. 7 ourselves in Hunty so it'll be a good contest there. It's two guys who want to play for their state in that position so it'll be game on on Saturday night."

Hunt bagged a double against the Dogs and had a hand in four other tries in his best performance of the season last week.

It was a welcome sight for McGregor as his new-look halves of combination of Hunt and Corey Norman clicks into gear five rounds into the season.

"I think Ben's season so far has been good," McGregor said.

"He had some quality games before [last] weekend and that game he put everyone on notice with how well he played.

"He's working really hard in some parts of his game that people have probably noticed in the past. His defence has been really good, his kicking game.

"With the option of a left-foot kicker on the other side in Normy it's taken a lot of pressure away from him so he's enjoying what he's doing.

"When he runs he's a threat and when he brings his running game to the opposition, as a coach, you know you're going to have a good night because he's going to play well."

After playing the first two games of last year's series at halfback, Hunt was shifted to the bench for game three, with Cherry-Evans wearing the No. 7.

The 29-year-old made no secret of his desire to reclaim his preferred jumper this season but said his focus remains in clubland.

"I have ambitions to be in the [Queensland] team to be honest that's the first thing," Hunt said.

"Daly's playing some great footy so I've got to play great footy as well if I want to be in there.

"If he's the seven and I'm in team somewhere I'll be happy as well.

"It's early in the season and the main focus for me, as I'm sure it is for him, is playing well for my club at the moment."