NRL 2023: Ben Hunt reveals Shane Flanagan talks, but coach plans to stay at Manly in 2023

Ben Hunt has revealed he has already spoken to one of the Dragons’ coaching contenders, who revealed how he plans to use the club captain if he wins the job.

Shane Flanagan and Dean Young.

Shane Flanagan was in touch with Ben Hunt this week and assured the Dragons halfback that should Flanagan take the coaching reins at the Red V he wanted Hunt to play halfback.

After Hunt played a starring role in that position in the Dragons’ exciting 36-30 upset win over South Sydney Rabbitohs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Saturday, he confirmed that he’d spoken with the Dragons head coaching aspirant.

“I had a small chat with ‘Flanno’ about his intentions, that he wanted to come in and coach,” Hunt said. “And if he did get the job, he wanted me to play halfback.”

Dragons captain Ben Hunt.

Hunt added that Dragons chairman Andrew Lancaster and chief executive Ryan Webb had kept him informed about the status of the Dragons head coach situation.

Yet Hunt felt that interim coach Ryan Carr should stay in his role for the rest of this season.

“I think it’s got to continue this way,” Hunt said. “Carry’s doing a good job, he’s got the locker room down there, the boys appreciate him.

“As you can see, the last month, we’re playing some pretty good footy. We don’t want to upset that.”

FRESH HITCH IN DRAGONS’ PLAN TO LURE NEW COACH

Michael Carayannis

Shane Flanagan will see out the season at Manly even if he is appointed St George Illawarra coach this week.

The development comes as the push for Flanagan gathers pace, with former Dragons star Dean Young to join him on the staff next year if Flanagan is appointed head coach.

Premiership-winning coach Flanagan has emerged as the favourite for the vacant role, however there is still some resistance from a section of the Dragons board.

Shane Flanagan has emerged as the favourite for the Dragons coaching job. Picture: Getty Images

The St George Illawarra board need to unanimously vote on their next coach, however a decision is expected within the next few days.

Flanagan, Young, and premiership-winning captain Ben Hornby remain in contention. Flanagan and Young already share a close bond, and some at the Dragons have floated the possibility of the pair working together, with Young viewed as a potential successor.

Flanagan has an agreement with the Sea Eagles that he would see out the first year of his contract regardless of a head coaching opportunity, having joined the club this year.

Dean Young could join Shane Flanagan at the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

The Dragons would not require either of the three potential coaching options to join the club immediately, but they would work in the background as they fulfil their current commitments.

Dragons boss Ryan Webb said he hoped the coaching situation would be sorted this week.

“I’d hope we get it done in the next week,” Webb said on ABC Sport.

“These timelines have blown out.

“It’s taken a bit longer than we planned originally. We had a process and picked out our front-runner and then he took another option.

“We are hoping to have that to a head within the next week.”

Webb said the first conversation he would have with the would-be coach would focus around the roster. Already the likes of Jaydn Su’A, Ben Hunt, Jack Bird and Zac Lomax have expressed concerns surrounding their futures at the club.

Ben Hunt has expressed concerns about his Dragons future. Picture: Getty Images

“The first conversation I would have with him would be sitting with the list and seeing what team he wants to coach,” Webb said.

“The second part is where he wants to put his time and if he wants to have more control or visibility in certain aspects.”

Meanwhile, Webb ruled out the prospect of former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika from entering the coaching equation.

“There has been that high level of discussions where his name has been put around,” Webb said. “He is not one of the ones under consideration.”

KEY CONTENDER OUT OF DRAGONS RACE

By David Riccio

Des Hasler has no interest in applying for the vacant St George Illawarra head coaching role, leaving Shane Flanagan as the most-experienced coach available to take over the Dragons.

Despite calls by Phil Gould for the Dragons to chase an experienced coach of Hasler’s ilk, the veteran mentor has informed his management not to pursue one of the toughest coaching jobs in the NRL.

Hasler, who won two premierships at Manly, before guiding Canterbury to two grand finals in three years, had been linked to the Dragons based on his lengthy head coaching experience.

Several experts including Matty Johns and Gould suggested Hasler had the experience and with no previous affiliation with the Dragons, could step in and make tough calls.

“I think the Dragons need someone who has never been a part of the Dragons,” Gould said in April.

“The bloke that has had success there was Wayne Bennett, a senior coach who was set in his ways and went there and showed them how to win.

“I know that Des Hasler knows how to win. I think he would be a good fit for them right at this time. I think they need something different.’’

Hasler is the most successful coach currently without a job in the NRL after finishing up at Manly last year.

Cowboys assistant coach Dean Young, Rabbitohs assistant coach Ben Hornby and Flanagan are who the Dragons are considering to lead the club, with the latter boasting increasing appeal due to his premiership-success at the Sharks in 2016.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Ben Hunt reveals Shane Flanagan talks, but coach plans to stay at Manly in 2023