When Hunt joined the team, it was coming along nicely with Widdop running the show. Benji did ok and the made a finals with him last until the Dogs took him out in the finals game with that sickening tackle from Tolman I think. Corey Norman then joined as Widdop was moved on (jeez, I am sure Hunt would have been happy with that appointment and not let down) and then the JDB saga hit, and it went south. BBQ gate followed which was under Hooks watch which showed how poorly disciplined they team was. The worst seasons that Hunt endured in the red V were from then and he had a big say in recruitment seeing mostly his mates joined. If it were for Hunt, Hook would have stayed as he wanted him there more. The relationship soured more or less from then. I don't think Flanno or any other coach would have swayed Hunt to stay or play at his best. His decision was made as soon as Hook was, well, Hooked. Ah, now I know why he got the name. That is where I feel he mostly feels let down, the fact they sacked his buddy. Apart from that it was all on his own bat.
If you do a timeline of when Hunt started to when he left you will see it was heading north up until Norman joined, then Hook. That interview was all about Hunt's love affair with the Bronco's and his torment playing for the red V. Poor Ben can finally win a comp with his beloved Broncos now that he left the hopeless Dragons who were never a hope in winning a comp. Poor Ben.
The best coaches say, if a player is only coming for money then don't expect too much. One of the best Liverpool managers used to get involved in recruitment in the end and as soon as the player asked about money, he turned off them no matter how good they were. That is what Saints should have done as it was clear he joined only for the money.