An early favorite has emerged for Ben Hunt’s signature because the Dragons halfback confirmed his administration has reached out to St George Illawarra to request a launch.
Incoming Dragons coach Shane Flanagan emphasised Hunt gained’t be launched after news broke on Saturday evening that the halfback desires out of the membership instantly.
Flanagan was this week appointed St George Illawarra’s subsequent coach however that hasn’t been sufficient to steer Hunt to remain.
Fox League contacted Flanagan for remark and the premiership-winning coach stated it was his perception the discharge request was made weeks in the past.
Watch each recreation of each spherical of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
Flanagan additionally informed The Daily Telegraph that 33-year-old Hunt, who’s at present in Maroons camp, is not going to be launched from his contract which runs till 2025.
“He’ll be captain and our halfback and we’ll move forward,” Flanagan stated.
“He’s got a contract. I haven’t bothered him because he’s in Origin camp but we’ll chat after the game.”
Read on for the most recent developments within the Hunt contract saga!
HUNT CONFIRMS DRAGONS FANS’ FEARS IN TEXT MESSAGE
Hunt formally confirmed the news on Sunday morning in a reply to a textual content message from The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield.
Speaking on Sky Sports Radio’s ‘Big Sports Weekend’, Rothfield stated he has been informed Hunt desires a direct request, though he added the halfback didn’t affirm that a part of the story.
“No one had official confirmation that Ben wanted out,” Rothfield stated.
“It’s been the game’s worst kept secret for a few weeks now. He was obviously disappointed over the sacking of his great friend Anthony Griffin as coach.
“Ben texted me this morning and confirmed the stories. I’m told it’s immediate. Ben didn’t say that in the text but he wants to go and play for another club this year.”
THE ‘EARLY FAVOURITE’ FOR HUNT’S SIGNATURE
While the Bulldogs had already been linked to Hunt earlier within the 12 months, it looks like Queensland groups can have a definite benefit with an early favorite already rising.
Channel 9’s Danny Weidler, who first broke the news, stated Hunt’s supervisor informed the membership on Saturday his shopper desires a direct launch and that the Titans are “early favourite” for his signature.
“There are already clubs signing up to try and sign Ben Hunt, the Titans are the early favourites but some Sydney clubs are sure to weigh into that situation,” Weidler stated.
Rothfield, in the meantime, additionally reported the Titans loom as a possible touchdown spot for Hunt and that it could solely price the Gold Coast $250,000 to take him for the rest of this season.
“I have a feeling that Ben Hunt will not be at Canterbury,” Rothfield stated on ‘Big Sports Weekend’.
Why? Well, Rothfield reported that Hunt desires to maneuver again to Queensland to be close to household residing in Yeppoon and Toowoomba.
“His camp will play the family card,” Rothfield added.
“I know that the Gold Coast Titans might even have the money this year to make that happen. They’ve got until August 7 not June 30 for player transfers.
“So if the Titans were to sign him, it’s not a million-dollar signing. It’s probably a $250,000 signing because the rugby league financial year pulls up at the end of October.
“So, St George have already paid him for three quarters of the financial year. Look, if I was St. George I would probably stand firm, but who wants a disgruntled player around?”
THE FINAL STRAW BEHIND HUNT’S REQUEST
While Hunt’s dissatisfaction on the membership has been reported for months now, The Sydney Morning Herald claims the ultimate straw was when he and teammates have been left to reply questions from the media within the wake of Anthony Griffin’s sacking.
Fox League’s James Hooper reported on the time that Hunt was “understandably fuming at the way the club handled the situation”.
“At the same time as Griffin was being told the board had made the hard line decision to end his tenure, St George Illawarra players were arriving at training for an 8.30am scheduled media session,” Hooper reported on the time.
“Whoever’s got control of the Red V steering wheel and thought this was a good way of handling the day has clearly got no idea.
“Supposedly there were going to be eight Dragons players fronting the cameras for the routine media session – in reality it ended up being Jack de Belin and Ben Murdoch-Masila who were left to be peppered with questions about what was going on with Griffin.
“Behind-the-scenes, Dragons captain Ben Hunt was privately rightfully asking what the hell was going on.”
Cowboys down Panthers in Golden Point | 03:16
Rothfield stated related on radio on Sunday, stating the actual fact Hunt even went public along with his request spoke volumes to how a lot of a gulf there may be between him and the membership.
“Ben hunt is a gentleman,” Rothfield stated.
“He’s very level-headed, non-controversial type of person. For him to go public that he wants out means he has serious deep-set issues at that club. He wouldn’t do it otherwise. I think the issues go a lot deeper than who’s going to coach the club this year.
“Look, I wrote the story… not one official turned up to his 300-game dinner. Not the CEO, not the chairman, no one from the club turned up.
“When they sacked Anthony Griffin there was no media plan on how they should handle it. The media just turned up and bombarded the players. Why didn’t the club have something organised?
“He’s sick and tired of the way that club is being run.”
FLANAGAN TO ‘FIGHT LIKE NOTHING ELSE’ TO KEEP HUNT
In saying all of that, Rothfield additionally stated on Sunday that he’s assured Flanagan gained’t let Hunt stroll with out placing up a substantial struggle.
“He’s on a million bucks a year and they’ve paid him a lot of money over a long period of time. I can understand that Shane Flanagan will fight like nothing else to keep him there as their leader, their halfback and their captain next year,” stated Rothfield.
Earlier on Saturday, Flanagan stated on radio he wouldn’t be releasing the membership’s star halfback,
Hunt has reportedly acquired an off-the-cuff method from the Titans who’re keen to desk a mammoth $900,000-per-season supply.
Gold Coast excessive efficiency advisor Mal Meninga stated the membership would “certainly be interested” in Hunt however emphasised provided that he grew to become accessible.
“It’s all hearsay, he’s got to ask for a release and we don’t know (if he’ll do that),” Meninga stated on Fox League.
“Flanno has made it very clear that he wants him to stay so it’s going to be a conversation that will take place when Ben’s back from his Origin commitments, when he goes back to the club.
“If I’m Flanno I’m saying I want him to stay, he is contracted to the club as well. It’s going to be an interesting watch this space for the next few weeks.
“I sort of represent the Titans and we’d certainly be interested in talking to Ben Hunt if he became available, it really is that simple.”
Keary suffers suspected damaged jaw | 00:43
Hunt is contracted till the tip of 2025 and Flanagan revealed he had already sat down along with his halfback and he “won’t be letting him go”.
“Well, from a club’s perspective Ben Hunt will be there,” Flanagan stated on 2GB.
“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.”
MORE NRL NEWS
WHISPERS: ‘Wayne’s received his man’ – Dolphins to signal star; Bulldogs’ shock NRL lifeline
BIG HITS: Axed Cowboy’s ‘statement’ to educate as ‘x-factor’ seals thriller
‘CLOSE’: Old Cowboys again as Taumalolo’s beautiful return ‘gives everyone confidence’
CASUALTY WARD: Cowboys sweat on luckless ahead after ‘potential fracture’
Flanagan has beforehand labored within the membership’s recruitment and retention division earlier than becoming a member of the Sea Eagles as an assistant coach.
Now the previous Sharks coach is about to mastermind a Dragons rebuild and defined he’ll utilise Hunt’s connections to signal gamers.
“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 stated.
“Playing Origin, conversations that he has with potential players to come to the club are very useful.
“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.
Sheens praises ‘natural leader’ Bateman | 01:03
“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 additionally paid tribute to the Manly membership for giving him a possibility in a coach function as soon as once more.
Employed Anthony Seibold’s assistant coach, Flanagan defined he’ll nonetheless be ensuring the Sea Eagles make a deep finals run.
“I probably wouldn’t be in this position if I didn’t work at Manly this year to be brutally honest,” Flanagan stated.
“Going there and having a really defined row with Anthony Seibold, I think it’s helped me get this next opportunity.
“My main focus is at the moment making sure I don’t drop the ball with Manly.”
Get all the most recent NRL news, highlights and evaluation delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
Source: www.foxsports.com.au