Ben Hunt bombshell as halfback reportedly to demand release from Dragons

Ben Hunt is reportedly set to drop a bombshell on the Dragons and request a shock contract move days after the club picked a new coach.

Fox League

3 min read

June 17, 2023 - 4:50PM

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Ben Hunt of the Dragons reacts at full-time during the round eight NRL match between Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra Dragons at Allianz Stadium on April 25, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Dragons marquee man Ben Hunt will reportedly request an early release from his contract in a bombshell move in the wake of Shane Flanagan’s appointment.

Flanagan was named St George Illawarra’s coach for the 2024 season two days ago but that move hasn’t been enough to persuade the gun halfback to remain at the club.

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According to Nine’s Danny Weidler, Hunt has told those close to him he wants to depart the Dragons and club powerbrokers are aware of his decision, although he is yet to make contact.

EXCLUSIVE: Ben Hunt has decided to ask for a release from @NRL_Dragons
The Shane Flanagan appointment has not settled him. Has confided in his inner circle he wants out. Unsure if heâ€™s made contact with officials at club but influential Dragons are aware. @9NewsSyd @NRLonNine
— Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) June 17, 2023

It comes after Flanagan assured Dragons fans he will not be letting the club’s superstar playmaker go.

Reports have surfaced Hunt received an informal approach from the Titans, who are willing to table a mammoth $900,000-per-season offer.

The Bulldogs have also been linked with the representative star’s services as Phil Gould continues to build a competitive roster in Belmore.

Hunt is contracted until the end of 2025 and Flanagan revealed he had already sat down with his halfback and he “won’t be letting him go”.

Ben Hunt reportedly wants out from the Dragons. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

“Well, from a club’s perspective Ben Hunt will be there,” Flanagan said on 2GB on Saturday. “He’s got a contract, I spoke to Ben before I actually signed because I didn’t want to obviously become the Dragons coach and then 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 obviously, 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 okay.

“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.”

Flanagan has previously worked in the club’s recruitment and retention department before joining the Sea Eagles as an assistant coach.

Now the former Sharks coach is set to mastermind a Dragons rebuild and explained he will utilise Hunt’s connections to sign players.

“I met with him and spoke to him about our relationship and how I need the captain of the club to help me with recruitment and retention,” Flanagan said.

“Playing Origin, conversations that he has with potential players to come to the club are very useful.

New Dragons coach Shane Flanagan wants to keep Ben Hunt. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“Recruitment and retention, I’ll be doing that behind the scenes.

“I’m lucky that I have had a bit of an insight in to the roster, 18 months or two years ago and it hasn’t changed a great deal.

“I’ll work hard and when I’ve got time away from Manly, I’ll get all those things in place.

“The first thing I have got to do is make sure I get the right staff around me, really important our high performance area and all my staff, strength and conditioning is in place.

“I have got to get the best in the business.”

Meanwhile, Flanagan also paid tribute to the Manly club for giving him an opportunity in a coach role once again.

Employed Anthony Seibold’s assistant coach, Flanagan explained he will still be making sure the Sea Eagles make a deep finals run.