Andrew Johns’ bombshell Ben Hunt call after Dragons slap down

Andrew Johns has dropped a huge tip about Ben Hunt’s future after the Queensland star was given a scathing end of season review.

Andrew Johns says Ben Hunt may have played his last game for the Dragons. Photo: Getty Images

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns believes Dragons captain and half Ben Hunt won’t play another game for St George Illawarra after he was slapped down in the club’s end of season review.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported the club’s skipper was among several players called out over his performances in the final month of the season.

Watch the best coverage of the 2024 NRL finals, with expert analysis and every game until the Grand Final LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

After the Dragons pulled off an 18-16 win over eventual minor premiers the Storm in Melbourne for the first time since 1999, the side sat a win ahead of the chasing pack and needing three wins from its final five matches to make the finals.

However, from there, the Dragons won just one more match, blowing a golden chance to make the finals for the first time since 2018.

It was a disappointing finish to a promising season, particularly when the side lost to the Eels and Raiders, who were both below the Dragons on the ladder at the time.

It saw the side finish 11th overall despite having been in the box seat a fortnight out from the playoffs.

The result has seen several players reportedly panned in their end-of-season review after the first season of Shane Flanagan’s coaching tenure at the club.

The SMH report says Hunt, whose contract is worth over $1 million a season, was told “his performances – including his defence, kicking game and leadership – when his team’s finals hopes hung in the balance were not befitting of his standing in the side”.

Flanno didn’t hold back. Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

The club has also shelved a proposed contract extension for the moment.

The situation becomes all the more intriguing after Hunt postured for a release last season after the sacking of former coach and close friend Anthony Griffin.

Hunt said he wanted to return to Queensland “for family reasons”.

He appeared to only stay after Flanagan convinced him to be part of the rebuild and the Dragons refused to release him from his contract.

The 34-year-old 334-game NRL veteran admitted he had “regrets about parts of it”, adding “If I could take the time back, I would do it differently.”

However, a season on, Johns believes if Hunt does push for a move, the Dragons might look to move on the veteran half.

In his seven seasons at the club, Hunt has played in just one finals campaign, a semi-final run in 2018.

Sam Verrills for the Titans. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Tyran Wishart for the Storm. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Johns believes the situation might be right for a three-way move with Hunt to the Titans, Gold Coast hooker Sam Verrills to the Roosters to cover the injured Brandon Smith and Storm utility Tyran Wishart to the Dragons.

“I’ve heard Sam Verrills may be going back to the Roosters … have a look at Brandon Smith, he won’t play until mid-next year,” Johns said on WWOS’ Freddy and the Eighth.

“So that opens the way for Ben Hunt to go to the Titans.

“Because Ben Hunt has been (saying) the last couple of years ‘I want to go back to Queensland’.

“Yeah, I do (think they will let him go).”

Originally published as Andrew Johns’ bombshell Ben Hunt call after Dragons slap down