Hunt has asked for a release

[Illusion]

From my point of view, I am absolutely sure that getting personal about a player's career choices is overreacting.

We all have an emotional investment in the Club and players, but at the end of the day we know very little about the deals that are struck between players, their managers and Club personnel.

It's none my business if you have been offered a job and are looking at your options.
It's up to you what you read in the media. I prefer to take it all with a grain of salt. No one is obliged to tell us anything, especially when negotiations are taking place.
Ben Hunt will make his choices.

IF there is an offer. And IF there is, business goes on all the time. I'm sure St George have benefitted from a few closed door discussions in the past.

Yeah, all good. But you just said Buzz. I'm sticking my neck out here, but I never read or listen to anything he has to say. Same with Weidler. I may be smarter for it, or not. I know I'm happier.

All good mate , we all have to now wait and see how it pans out , no right or wrong , either way ...... like I have said before if he does want to go let him , he is older now and 2 more years on big money, if he gets injured may not play many games ...... Just my opinion .....

 

[saintmar]

Haas wanted a release didn't happen

Make it clear unless we are compensated massively he is not going anywhere

Hunt is not Haas
No comparison

 

[Ruby Roundhouse]

why would hunt be calling flanno for an immediate release?

 

[Gomarchin]

What a great way for Hunt to prepare for Origin?!!

I don't care how mentally strong you are this type of media hype 3 days before a massive game would not be helping him.

I'm sure this is all being driven (behind the scene) by his manager and the potential new club (Titans??).

 

[steerlerbab]

It was 2015 and Ben Hunt was under Wayne Bennett at Broncos. Hunt was Wayne's half at 2015 FG (that infamous knock on if anybody remembers). Last year when Wayne was putting Dolphins roster together, Wayne went after Ponga. Wayne went after Monster both of whom Wayne coached for Queensland. He did not get them. Wayne went after Nikorima and Milford both of whom were at 2015 GF with Hunt under Wayne. He got them. But Wayne never went after Hunt! Yes, Wayne was desperate for halves but Wayne never went after Hunt!

Master coach Wayne has coached Hunt. Maybe Wayne knows something that we don't. One thing for sure Wayne does not rate Hunt as highly as Monster, Ponga, Milford or even Nikorima otherwise he would have gone after him.

 

[Dragonssupporter]

I just think why are we all fussing about this and really getting ourselves into a frenzy over something that is totally unsubstantiated and put out by a bloody Cronulla supporter. Why the hell would Hunt txt Buzz- it just isnt true and just one more attempt to unsettle us now that our coach has been sorted. I think Buzz is still cranky about losing Flanagan and hes taking out on us. Us fans need to be stronger and remember this guy has been our best player for 3 yrs now. We have a coach and i think our roster will start to improve too. But dont turn on each other and our squad. Weve been through many bad things over the years. Lets be strong and show that A hole Buzz what a complete tool he is and get the prick retired. Lets just back each other and the Mighty Dragons

 

[RedVee_8]

It was 2015 and Ben Hunt was under Wayne Bennett at Broncos. Hunt was Wayne's half at 2015 FG (that infamous knock on if anybody remembers). Last year when Wayne was putting Dolphins roster together, Wayne went after Ponga. Wayne went after Monster both of whom Wayne coached for Queensland. He did not get them. Wayne went after Nikorima and Milford both of whom were at 2015 GF with Hunt under Wayne. He got them. But Wayne never went after Hunt! Yes, Wayne was desperate for halves but Wayne never went after Hunt!

Master coach Wayne has coached Hunt. Maybe Wayne knows something that we don't. One thing for sure Wayne does not rate Hunt as highly as Monster, Ponga, Milford or even Nikorima otherwise he would have gone after him.

Wayne moved Hunt to dummy half at Broncos

 

[blue bags]

Release was demanded by Ben
It has been refused at the moment

 

[I'm Hornby]

I honestly think as i have said before he has had enough of how our club (like all on here know) has been mismanaged in the football department especially the last 2 years under Haran / BOD / CEO? including recruitment. It is not Flanigan but some of the players have also fallen out of line due to no respect or discipline from management IMO. Hunt has seen and witnessed all that
This is not a decision he made this week
We had the BBQ / awards night / no CEO or BOD turning up to his 300 dinner / Ryles appointment being botched / Hook thrown under the bus publicly earlier this year and the day the bus ran over him the players had to front the media... and god knows what else I have missed.

Hunt likely knew this year would of been Hooks last anyway when signing new contract but hoping the players might get on the Hook bus and put in this year on and off the field. It has not happened

As soons as we sweep out football department management (hopefully Flanigan assists with this) things wont improve greatly and that is how Hunt sees it.

I am angry it is coming out like this and I dont blame him for wanting out (some supporters have had enough) but at the same time I hope Flanigan stands firm and gets his head back on our track
If not stand firm anyway and hold him to the contract.
But then the family reunion card will be played
What do you do. Management needs to go asap

Good Summary in your first paragraph on the how and why this has come about. To be fair to Ben also, he did suggest on a few occasions in media earlier this year and last year that he would reconsider his future if Hook was moved on. This was also after his extension of his contract, so it isn't as if the release request has come unexpectedly.

 

[bmaccc]

Quick question

if this rumour was false and if you were Hunt, wouldnt you want to come out and publicly deny it asap? End the speculation?

 

[St Tangles]

Hunt is not Haas
No comparison

Both wanted releases

Not hard to see the similarities in the situation

Not comparing players just the situation

 

[56to66]

There is no comparison between a young rising star and a player who is coming to the twilight of his career and will not put his body on the line to play in the most suited position for his club
Very simple, It's time for club and player to move in a different direction for the long term benefit of both club and player

Can I use the word hypocrite

 

[getsmarty]

Dragons' Hunt and Flanagan set for meetings post-Origin

Ben Hunt is set to meet with incoming St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan after the second State...

www.hardenexpress.com.au

 

[jeffdragon]

Why should they release him?
If they do why the hell should we not get players in return or compensated for it.
Don't give in.

 

[56to66]

Dragons' Hunt and Flanagan set for meetings post-Origin

Ben Hunt is set to meet with incoming St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan after the second State...

www.hardenexpress.com.au

"He's got a contract. I spoke to Ben before I actually signed because I didn't want to become the Dragons coach and then (have) our halfback wanting out of the club, and he was fine with all that if I was to get the job
Omg so will Flanno backflip if Hunt goes?
I guess this is more entertaining the any reality show!

 

[getsmarty]

"He's got a contract. I spoke to Ben before I actually signed because I didn't want to become the Dragons coach and then (have) our halfback wanting out of the club, and he was fine with all that if I was to get the job
Omg so will Flanno backflip if Hunt goes?

No...just make it play in our favour... we hold all the cards

One thing I will say about flanno , he is a tough nut...exactly what we need...

Is it 2 years too late ?

P.S could you imagine Ryles handling this...

 

[TruSaint]

"He's got a contract. I spoke to Ben before I actually signed because I didn't want to become the Dragons coach and then (have) our halfback wanting out of the club, and he was fine with all that if I was to get the job
Omg so will Flanno backflip if Hunt goes?
I guess this is more entertaining the any reality show!

I don't think the quote there implies/implied that Flanno had a condition in his contract re Hunt. It's just the way he explains his approach with the halfback at the Club.

 

[Miller was a legend]

Bye bye Benny boy
Way over paid & we have not won anything with him
I just love our club & would have done anything to wear the Red V
Him demanding a release repulses me

But instead you chose to wear this?

 

[I'm Hornby]

Wayne moved Hunt to dummy half at Broncos

Yes he came off the bench or started at hooker for his last six or seven games for Brisbane. He was injured earlier that season and the Broncos went on a winning streak with Nikorima at halfback. However Bennett still selected Hunt at halfback once he returned from injury that season and for all other games in the previous seasons that Bennett coached there, so it was literally his last few games that he played Hooker for Brisbane and that could've also been to do with him leaving and the Broncos wanting to plan.

It certainly isn't the case that Bennett saw Hunt as specialist dummy half like your post implies. Bennett and Hunt have a good relationship and you might well see Hunt at the Dolphins but is potentially using the Dogs/Titans to get the release in the first instance. I certainly wouldn't put it passed Wayne Bennett to do it.

 

[getsmarty]

EXCLUSIVE: Dragons To Deny Ben Hunt's Request

After Superstar Shocks NRL World

articles.listnr.com