Ben Hunt’s pre-season return a blow for those clubs hoping to poach Dragons skipper

Tuesday promises to deliver a day that few Dragons fans would’ve seen coming when it comes to the ongoing conjecture over the future of Ben Hunt, writes DAVID RICCIO.

Hope and commitment will walk through the WIN Stadium gates in Wollongong around 7am on Tuesday.

Almost three weeks earlier than his scheduled return date, Dragons captain Ben Hunt will arrive for pre-season training under new coach Shane Flanagan.

In a hammer blow to the Titans, and every other club dangling a lure in front of Hunt, the decision by the Test star to neither wait until his actual return date of December 15, or to not return at all, is a sign of both the halfback’s character and intent.

If Hunt had no desire to play for the Dragons in 2024, then surely turning up for training 20-days earlier than he needs to, isn’t the act of a footballer looking to get out of dodge.

Hunt doesn’t play games. We’ve learned this much.

He spent almost half of last season speaking truth from the heart, a place that few players dare tread.

The 33-year-old asked for a release last June due to his disillusionment with St George Illawarra’s front office (who could blame him), their failed promises to land significant recruits and also, in the wake of the club sacking coach and close mentor, Anthony Griffin.
Reports then emerged that Hunt was willing to pay $150,000 of his own money to leave the club.

Dragons captain Ben Hunt. Picture: NRL Imagery

He was harangued by fans.

They were as deluded as what Dragons management were for hanging onto Griffin ahead of last season, after telling the former coach they were looking at other options.

Hunt was simply being honest.

This wasn’t the club that management had sold to him. I applaud Hunt for calling them out.

Ultimately, the release was rejected by the Dragons and instead of kicking stones, Hunt kept playing, kept leading, despite a throng of boos and fans waving banners like, “Ben, I know a good removalist.”

Ben Hunt copped plenty from Dragons fans. Picture: NRL Images

The appointment of Flanagan is proof management were listening to Hunt.

Flanagan has arrived with a plan, not only for the club’s future, but the halfback, by including him in every major recruitment target to date.

Of course, the noise never quietens in rugby league, even in November.

The Titans are the latest club linked to Hunt, with reports last Wednesday that the release of Treymain Spry from their top-30 roster, is a ploy to create a spot for the Dragons veteran to jet to the Gold Coast.

If that’s the plan, Hunt isn’t showing it.

Still on his holidays, Hunt turned up to the club’s annual Robert Stone Memorial Golf Day at Beverly Park last Friday.

Shane Flanagan has gone out of his way to include Ben Hunt. Picture: Julian Andrews

He spent 18-holes playing in a group that was made up of forward leader Blake Lawrie, Flanagan and a major sponsor.

On Tuesday, Hunt will return to pre-season training early and it’s worth nothing that so too will teammate Moses Suli. Footballers have a knack of weeding out teammates who they don’t believe in.

Trust is easily eroded inside dressing rooms.

Hunt, maybe due to his frank honesty, has lost no one at Saints.

“Benny is one of the best players in the game, he’s our skipper,” the club’s marquee centre Zac Lomax said on Friday.

“He’s our leader, he’s a real good dude, a great family man and ‘Dozer’ (Hunt) is one of my best mates.

“He’s just a dude that loves being around the team and the boys feed off him too.

“He’s played so many big games, he’s going to be massive for us next year.

“We can’t wait to get him back.”

Originally published as Ben Hunt’s pre-season return a blow for those clubs hoping to poach Dragons skipper