‘Wouldn’t stand in his way’: Ben Hunt’s future clouded after ‘nasty’ spray

Storm star Tyran Wishart has been floated as a potential replacement for Dragons skipper Ben Hunt amid doubts around his long-term future.

Shane Flanagan and Ben Hunt spray

Storm star Tyran Wishart has been floated as a potential replacement for Dragons skipper Ben Hunt amid doubts around his long-term future.

Hunt and Wishart are both off-contract at the end of 2025, while the Dragons skipper who has previously asked for a release to return to Queensland, was pictured in a heated exchange with coach Shane Flanagan after their loss to the Eels.

Phil Rothfield revealed on NRL 360 that Flanagan assured him his relationship with Hunt remains strong despite the incident.

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“I spoke to Flanno this afternoon and I said what were you saying to Ben Hunt?” Rothfield said on NRL 360.

“What was that conversation? It looked pretty nasty.

“He said it was a normal after game thing. Flanno thought he should have gone left with one play. He went right and was waving his arms.

“He insists the relationship is as secure as ever.”

Despite the assurance, Rothfield believes the Dragons would privately be open to parting ways with Hunt if they had a suitable long-term replacement given he is close to the end of his career.

“He (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.

“It has got nothing to do with the emotion that was shown there.

Rothfield then floated Wishart as a target for the Dragons.

“(Flanagan) can speak to Wishart, a Wollongong boy, in November,” he said.

“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.”

The Australian’s Brent Read, however, believes the Storm would be reluctant to let Wishart go given his importance to their depth in the halves and at hooker.

“I know you are just throwing out a name and Wishart has been amazing for Melbourne this year, but I know Canberra has had a sniff around Wishart and Melbourne will not let him go because he is on a really good deal down there and they want to keep him,” Read said.

Shane Flanagan had some harsh words for Ben Hunt.

Rothfield, however, believes the Storm need to be flexible to keep their highest paid stars and maintain a well-rounded squad.

“Well tell me how they are going to keep Hughes, Grant, Munster, Papenhuyzen, all those guys?” Rothfield asked.

“It’s like Penrith they can’t keep everyone.

“What I’m saying is come November he won’t be on a lot of money, so it is like Penrith with Crichton and Burton and Kikau.”

Read believes the Dragons should let Hunt play out his current contract and target a new halfback for 2026.

“But from November he (Wishart) can sign for 2026, not 2025,” Read said.

“Melbourne aren’t going to let him go for 2025.

“Ben Hunt has only got 2025 left anyway. I wouldn’t extend him. I would let him see out his contract and then let him go find another club somewhere.

“He will be 35 then anyway.”

Tyran Wishart has been touted as a potential Hunt replacement.

Read then questioned if Wishart is even a suitable replacement for Hunt.

“I wouldn’t say they are like for like,” Read said.

“They are different players.”

“They need someone to control their whole team and their whole game plan and their whole game,” Anasta replied.

“That’s the issue if you let Ben Hunt go,” Read concluded.

Originally published as ‘Wouldn’t stand in his way’: Ben Hunt’s future clouded after ‘nasty’ spray