Hunt (or his manager) talking to the press again. Reported in the Daily Telegraph today. I have copied as some may not be able to access a link.
Sport Confidential: Real reason Maroons star Ben Hunt wants out of Dragons
Ben Hunt wants out of the Dragons over a series of broken promises that have seen the Queensland Origin star lose faith in St George Illawarra management.
By:
Peter Badel and
Travis Meyn
3 min read
July 6, 2023 - 12:00PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
Ben Hunt wants out of the Dragons over a series of broken promises that have seen the Queensland Origin star lose faith in St George Illawarra management.
Sport Confidential can reveal Hunt’s relationship with Dragons bosses is untenable and it’s unlikely the arrival of incoming coach Shane Flanagan can convince the skipper to remain at the Red V next season.
Hunt was privately preparing to join the Broncos for the rest of this season, but the Dragons’ refusal to sign off on a proposed transfer deal last week has only intensified tensions between captain and club.
The cracks will never be truly repaired.
At the heart of Hunt’s discontent is his view that the Dragons have failed to uphold their end of the bargain on two key matters.
Hunt has copped brickbats for his decision to ink a two-year extension with the Dragons last October. Critics of the Origin and Test star have argued if Hunt is so unhappy at the Dragons, why did the playmaker sign a new deal until the end of 2025 just nine months ago?
Had he refused to ink a new deal and waited just four more weeks, Hunt would have been a free agent and permitted to test his value on the open market.
But there’s where the Cold War between Hunt and the Dragons began to surface.
When Hunt mulled over whether to sign the two-year extension, in his eyes, he was given assurances by Dragons bosses that coach Anthony Griffin was safe and would not be sacked during the 2023 season.
Saints officialdom also assured Hunt 12 months earlier that an aggressive recruitment drive was underway to bolster their roster, headlined by the blue-chip signing of Panthers back-row sensation Viliame Kikau.
Griffin was sacked in May, while Kikau ended up joining the Bulldogs amid fears the Dragons botched the Panthers forward’s signing by tabling a formal offer that was worth less than what the parties had originally discussed.
The Dragons gave Kikau’s management a letter of offer outlining a three-year deal at $750,000 a season. It was the Kikau camp’s belief they would join the Dragons for $800,000 annually, hence the reason the deal collapsed.
While Hunt was close to Griffin – ‘Hook’ coached him in the Broncos’ under-20s – he is also frustrated at being a sounding board for disgruntled Dragons players.
As captain, he is being buffeted by a list of grievances from Dragons teammates over the running of the club. He is sick of being the middle man at a club Hunt believes has lost premiership direction.
Dragons CEO Ryan Webb did not return calls, but in the wake of Origin II, Hunt hinted at feeling let down by the club over some recruitment objectives.
“When I signed (a new deal), there was a lot going on,” he said.
“They wanted to get me signed first to get it sorted out so they could start making recruitment decisions.
“It’s gone nowhere.
“I just thought once I signed there would be a snowball effect (of other recruits coming to the club) and a few things would happen, but it hasn’t happened.”
While Hunt has given up hope of being at the Broncos this season, a move to the Titans next year remains a possibility.
Newcastle legend and former NSW Origin playmaker Matt Johns urged the Dragons to sever ties with Hunt.
“Ben went to the club in 2018 and they made the finals, but since then, it’s been mainly failed seasons,” Johns told Fox Sports.
“The formula ain’t working.
“It’s a wasted opportunity to keep Hunt there.
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“The Dragons can turn this into their favour. They can look at the market and pick a player they want and get some compensation.
“Ben has been their best player this year but they are in the midst of another losing season.
“They need to change the formula.”
au.sports.yahoo.com
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