A former Origin consultant has referred to as out Ben Hunt and urged the NRL to “step in” to thwart gamers breaking contract by requesting to go away for rival groups mid-season.
After rumours swirled for weeks about Hunt’s future on the Dragons within the wake of the firing of Anthony Griffin, Hunt confirmed earlier this week he wished to be launched from his contract with a view to signal with a Queensland-based membership.
Michael Ennis believes that Hunt, who was named Dragons captain towards the Warriors on Friday night time, “could have handled the situation so much better” and that permitting gamers to go away mid-season for one more membership is a “stain on the game”.
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“The fact that he was away in Origin camp (when confirming the news), he’s the captain of the club,” Ennis stated.
“He wasn’t there to have a face-to-face conversation with the new coach and the club, I think that could have been handled better.
“The fact that players in this modern day can still stick their hand up, midway through a season and say they want out … We have to change that.
“The game has to step in at some point. We can’t keep doing this where they (players) can say they want out and then a week or two later the player ends up being let go.
“There’s kids out there with that famous Dragons jersey this season because of Ben Hunt. He was their hope, and he’s there marquee man.”
Co-panellist Greg Alexander interjected to say, “I just think this is professional sport, Mick” to which Ennis provided up a suggestion for the NRL to think about going ahead.
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“Can the game not step in and say, OK no worries, if Ben Hunt wants out and wants to go home, but he’s not playing for another club this year.
“How is it fair if he turns around and goes to a side like the Broncos who are sitting first?”
August 7 is the present closing date for participant transfers.
Ennis says that there are differing conditions to Hunt’s across the league which ought to enable for gamers to switch membership mid-season.
“If there’s a player off-contract and their current club isn’t going to re-sign them, or there’s someone in reserve grade who could be playing first grade for another club,” Ennis stated.
“But when it’s your marquee halfback and captain of the club, it’s hard to swallow.”
Hunt was named as Dragons captain for Friday night time’s conflict towards the Warriors, with Alexander of the opinion it’ll be the 33-year-old’s final sport for the membership.
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“I think this is the last game Ben Hunt plays for the Dragons, I really do.
“I don’t see any point in (the Dragons) keeping him for the rest of the season.”
Ennis noticed eye-to-eye with Alexander on that time, however stated he didn’t agree with the membership’s resolution to call Hunt as captain for the Red V’s Friday night time matchup.
“I don’t know where I sit with this to be honest,” Ennis stated.
“I’m not sure he can captain. I’m not sure that he can. He doesn’t want to be there.”
Source: www.foxsports.com.au