Dragons gun Ben Hunt has revealed he has needed to “accept” he might be taking part in for the Red V in 2024 however nonetheless needs to maneuver his household again to Queensland.
The 33-year-old made a shock resolution previous to this yr’s Origin sequence, saying he was in search of a direct exit from the Dragons.
However, incoming coach Shane Flanagan has reportedly dug his heels in and Hunt instructed The Daily Telegraph he has come to phrases along with his destiny subsequent season.
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“I’ve got my head around it for sure. I wouldn’t say I’m being held hostage. That’s a bit harsh. I have had to accept it in a way. I am going to be there,” he instructed News Corp.
“I can understand (frustration) from a fan point of view. I can assure the fans that I will always put my best foot forward. I’ll come back to pre-season in good shape and I’ll train hard.”
Hunt signed a two-year extension in October 2022, while Anthony Griffin was nonetheless on the helm.
The former Broncos and Panthers coach was later sacked halfway by means of the 2023 season and Hunt defined he partially regrets re-signing.
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“Yes in a way I do but also there is a part of me that doesn’t. As a rugby league player you like the security,” Hunt mentioned.
“You have to only look recently with guys like Ryan Papenhuyzen. The game can spit you out really quick. There is a part of me that doesn’t but there is a part that does.”
Hunt is desperately hoping Flanagan will rework the Red V membership, having battled for the picket spoon this season.
He additionally mentioned he may doable change his thoughts and keep on the Dragons in 2025 if some key areas enhance.
“There’s a lot of things that I think need to happen to make that change. I don’t want to go into but there is a lot that needs to happen,” Hunt mentioned.
“In my head there is a place we need to get to and it’s a long way away from where we are now.
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“Flanno is the right guy to do it for sure. He has proven it in the past. It doesn’t matter what it is, he will get the job done.”
Hunt later instructed the Sydney Morning Herald the membership wants “hard-nosed” NRL veterans to assist flip them round.
“We still need more senior players there, for sure,” he mentioned.
“We need guys who are hard-nosed NRL players who know what it looks like to win, and what it looks like to train like a professional every day.”
Elsewhere, query marks have been raised over his capability to be the membership’s captain while making it clear he doesn’t wish to play for the Dragons.
Hunt instructed the SMH he’s nonetheless the most effective man for the job but additionally revealed he gave the membership the chance to strip him of captaincy duties.
“I still believe I’m the best guy to lead the club while I’m there. I can do the job, I feel like I’ve got the respect of the players, and I can lead them the right way,” he mentioned.
“If the club get to the point where that’s not what they want, I’ll accept that, and move on. At this stage, I’m happy to keep doing it.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au