Ben Hunt still ‘trying to get out’ of Dragons, ‘all roads lead to the Gold Coast’

Ben Hunt’s future in the NRL remains up in the air with his recent remarks to the media being called out by two journalists.

Hoops believes Ben Hunt is done at the Dragons. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

Ben Hunt will continue to push for a release or trade away from the Dragons over the off-season according to James Hooper, who believes the star half-back’s plot to move back to Queensland will be “the story of the summer.”

Hunt has said that he is committed to the Dragons in 2024 after speaking with incoming coach Shane Flanagan, however the Gold Coast Titans could be a potential landing spot.

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The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis forecasted on NRL 360 that Hunt will stay at the Red V, which Hooper vehemently disagreed with.

“He’ll be there next year. Ben Hunt will be at the Dragons next year. Shane Flanagan has told him as such and Hunt has given his commitment he’ll be there next year,” Carayannis said.

“Whether he’s being held hostage or not, I’m not sure.”

“Nah I’m calling BS Mick,” Hooper replied.

Hooper went on to reference comments Hunt made to the SMH last week where the halfback said, “It’s been a big year, there’s been a lot of footy, and when you keep having setbacks, it gets a bit harder to get out of bed each day.”

Hoops believes Ben Hunt is done at the Dragons. (Photo by Dave Rowland/Getty Images)

“Did you see that story that made its way into the papers last week? Those quotes to me were the quotes of a bloke who clearly no longer wants to be involved at that club,” Hooper said.

“It’s not a shot at Shane Flanagan, he’s done his best to try and convince Ben to stay but Ben clearly has massive issues with the people who have run that club for the last how many years and I think Ben wants to be back home in Queensland.

“I think he’s going to agitate all summer. I think it’s going to be one of the stories of the summer.

“He was quoted in the paper saying some days he was struggling to get out of bed. To me, that’s not a bloke who is tearing hamstrings to (stay at) the club.

“I don’t know how you can still have him as the captain of the club if he’s making statements like that in the media.”

NRL 360 co-host Braith Anasta agreed with Hooper, believing everything Hunt has said to the media indicates he wants to play elsewhere.

“It’s like he is trying to get out of there. From everything he has said to the media in the past 12 months, he wants out. If he wanted to stay, you’d be more quiet wouldn’t you?” Anasta said.

Hunt’s future will be a big talking point in the offseason. NRL Imagery

The news of Hunt wanting out of the Dragons was released just before State of Origin Game II when the playmaker was in Maroons camp.

Gorden Tallis pointed to the timing of this as proof of Hunt’s intentions.

“When it first came out, it came out just before State of Origin. Every State of Origin is the biggest game and for him to say he wants to go back to Queensland, and he didn’t say anything about St George,” Tallis said.

“Unless it has changed drastically, you’d think he’s going to go back (to Queensland).”

“You raise a good point Gordie. He demanded an immediate release. It wasn’t can I go at the end of the year, he said I’ve had enough of you blokes I want out now,” Hooper replied.

“There has been some changes, obviously Flanno has been appointed and he’s attempting to make wholesale changes but I get the impression that this is going to be a big story ongoing for the entire summer.”

Anasta then asked which Queensland club Hunt could play for.

“Reading between the lines, there are only four clubs in Queensland okay. I think Wayne (Bennett) and the Dolphins would be interested,” Hooper said.

“I think all roads lead to the Gold Coast. Des Hasler is a genius when it comes to the negotiating table.

“They are paying Tino top dollar, yes they are paying Dave Fifita top dollar but aside from that, it’s a fairly well balanced roster.”

Originally published as Ben Hunt still ‘trying to get out’ of Dragons, ‘all roads lead to the Gold Coast’