Dragons terminate NRL contract of captain Ben Hunt

[Dee Deuce]

Ben Hunt has run out in Dragons colours for the last time, sacked after sevens seasons at the club. 

 

St George Illawarra have terminated the playing contract of captain Ben Hunt.

The halfback had a year to run on his deal but had made several comments in the media in recent weeks that made his position at the club untenable.

Hunt, 34, spent seven seasons at the Dragons and has made no secret of his desire to finish his career in Queensland.

"This decision was not easy and was not taken lightly, but we need to do what is best for the club at this time," said Dragons chief executive Ryan Webb.

Edited October 29 by Dee Deuce

[R L Winger]

Could be a good move or one of the biggest mistakes in the history of the Dragons

[Farmduck]

Does this mean you can take Jayden Sullivan back? Please.

[R L Winger]

4 hours ago, Farmduck said:

Does this mean you can take Jayden Sullivan back? Please.

WHO?

[Farmduck]

7 minutes ago, R L Winger said:

WHO?

Yes, he had that same impact at Wests. He has achieved one thing though. He's probably the highest-paid player in NSW Cup.

 

[Anita Bath]

Dolphins indicating they would be interested in talking to Hunt. Plenty of room under the salary cap but term might be a sticking point.

 

Might end up in Queensland after all.

[R L Winger]

Shane Flanagan opens up on plans for life after Ben Hunt

"No one player, person, staff member or coach is bigger than the club," Flanagan said in the wake of the termination of Hunt’s deal.

Although the club’s decision to cut Hunt without having a ready made replacement at halfback has raised some eyebrows.

Kyle Flanagan could currently be in line to take over in the No.7 jersey if no signings are made for the 2025 campaign, while Lyhkan King-Togia looms as the most likely five-eighth.

Despite this fact, Shane Flanagan noted how the call to allow Hunt to move on will ultimately help the club in the long run as they seek to replace Hunt with an up-and-coming halfback. 

"This decision allows us to get moving (in recruitment) for next year and beyond and I’m more than confident on what will unfold," the head coach declared. 

"Ben is an exceptional player and his skill set will not be easily replaced.

"However, we are committed to finding the right solutions and believe in the strength of our club moving forward."

The Dragons have been linked with an imminent move for Clint Gutherson after the Parramatta fullback was granted an immediate release from his deal.

Gutherson if he arrives at the Dragons is set to take over in the No.1 jersey for the Red V and not be moved into the halves. 

Therefore, Braydon Trindall, Tyran Wishart and Lachlan Ilias are all expected to be on the club's radar as they try to replace Hunt. 

Trindall still has one year to run on his contract at Cronulla but is set for a bumper salary increase, while Wishart has an option in his deal at Melbourne through until 2026.

Ilias lost his spot at South Sydney during Jason Demetriou's final months in charge and then suffered a season-ending leg injury while playing in NSW Cup. 

Wayne Bennett's arrival could see the playmaker revive his career at Redfern though with a possible transition into dummy-half already floated or a move to the Dragons might be on the cards. 

 

[RayCee]

So they're on the hunt.

[THE RED ROOSTER]

SGI had no option. Despite signing a contract, and expecting to be paid if injured and not fulfilling that contract, It would appear that you can void a contract simply by whinging enough for the club to tear it up. Highlights a significant shift in power from clubs to players in the NRL.

How ugly Hunt saga finally came to an end... and the ‘tactic’ that was the last straw

[The Future is League]

It's official. Ben Hunt resigns for the Broncos.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2024-ben-hunt-joins-brisbane-broncos-on-twoyear-deal-michael-maguire-how-much-is-it-worth-transfer-news/news-story/6d20a711a8fe53cb139738590ed5a44a

[Anita Bath]

Has their been an older half back pairing than this one?

Broncos season went belly up after Reynolds injury in the roosters game last season. 

record was 5-3 before that game and 5-10 after it.

[Spotty Herbert]

I still think I would prefer Reynolds and Hunt as a partnership to Illias and Flanagan.