Hunt has asked for a release

[Number of the Beath]

So, now that it's confirmed are we allowed to go back to slagging off Ben Hunt?
I got plenty left in the tank.

 

[St Tangles]

Let him go to the Dogs
All these purchases and they are still bad
They aren't winning a premiership anytime soon

 

[Number of the Beath]

Let him go to the Dogs
All these purchases and they are still bad
They aren't winning a premiership anytime soon

Yep.
All those big name signings, the new wonder coach and yet they're doing no better than us.
Now that's a shambles.

 

[Dea]

While i might appreciate the disappointment Hunt has with the BOD and their poor management and behaviour in the sacking of Hook and hanging the players out to dry with the media, I don’t feel that is enough to warrant an easy release.
So no free pass to leave. If he wants to go then we need something in exchange. Big dollars or a player swap. And if he stays… he has a bit of work to deserve the role of captaincy and leader of the club.

 

[Illusion]

For me its a toss up between Phil Gould and Wayne Bennett.

Yep Bennett's right up there with the best .......

 

[Blood Shot Eyes]

There's a lot of bullshit going on with all this....if reports are true that amongst other things Hunt wants out because he wants to return to Qld to be closer to members of his family then what would have been the case if Hook had been retained would he still want to leave now or see out his contract till the end if 2025. I think that answer is obvious.
Whilst we can't lay all the blame for our performances on his shoulders how many times have we played finals footy during his time with us.
As for the players do they now want to be playing alongside a bloke that wants out and in particular the big bucks hes on compared with their salary.
The bottom line is he may be sick and tired of our setup but hes been with us for quite some time now and during that time we've paid him very handsomely......Im sure theres plenty of people out there that are fed up and discontented with their employment but dont get anywhere near his wages.... for mine if he wants out because he thinks the grass is greener somewhere else then let him go......for mine I don't want anyone wearing the Red V with that attitude. Imo you owe us Ben we don't owe you

 

[Number of the Beath]

While i might appreciate the disappointment Hunt has with the BOD and their poor management and behaviour in the sacking of Hook and hanging the players out to dry with the media, I don’t feel that is enough to warrant an easy release.
So no free pass to leave. If he wants to go then we need something in exchange. Big dollars or a player swap. And if he stays… he has a bit of work to deserve the role of captaincy and leader of the club.

I would think the likely destination is the Rorters, given their half-back dilemmas.
Either way, to pull the trigger at this time - in the way he has, he is a grub.

 

[Illusion]

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2023-colourful-rugby-league-icon-slams-pathetic-ben-hunt-contract-act/news-story/9a28b08400c7f05de3c7e3a5a1cf2623?amp

 

[jeffdragon]

Look at all players wanting to exit last 1-2 years, asking releases
Hunt
Sua
Bird
Sullivan
Sloan

possibly Lomax and Lawrie ?

who else have I missed

the club , the setup , the board , coaching all a farce

almost half a team

Sloan and Amone still look terrible at times now despite quite a few NRL games and while Sullivan has probably looked best at times doesn’t look like he can run a team or be consistent

Flanagan had better be an awesone coach

How many of them have left so far .0.

 

[SBD82]

Respectfully disagree.

Hunt wont determine whether we finish last. In fact having him onboard may gift us the spoon if his heart isn't in it.

Have a look at our finishes under Hunt. They are woeful. Good player, sure. Leader ? no way.

Most of us have been through enough bullshit for over a decade to realise that "marque" players are only worthy if they want to play for the Club.

Hunt, is no Saints leader. TBH, I hope after all of this he leaves, and we get some compensation.
Said my piece and stand by it.

He's not above the badge.

In recent history we have some horrible form when it comes to marquee players. I remember the way Dugan was treated when he arrived. At club functions he walked around like a rockstar. I’ve often wondered whether it effected his focus. That level of adoration can be hard for a young man to overcome. His behavior on the way out was what you’d expect from someone who’d had too much smoke blown up their arse.

I feel like we’re seeing a bit of that from Hunt now too. Could be a symptom of a club that Is a little too desperate to attract marquee players?

There’s a petty part of me that would like to see the club play him at 9 in reserve grade for the next two seasons. But realistically you’re right. It’s time for him to go.

 

[Maddragon99]

I have mixed feelings about this, I suppose if he wants out then better to rip the bandaid off & be done with it. But he’s our captain & best player, it would be a significant loss.

Perhaps a swap for Luke Brooks? Luke is only 27 & might prosper in a different environment?

The one positive is if we do agree to release him now it does give Flanno time to find a replacement for 2024.

 

[Dea]

“The Dragons can confirm that today the club received a request from the management of Ben Hunt for a release from his playing contract. This request has been denied.”

Dragons statement regarding Ben Hunt contract

The Dragons have issued the following statement regarding the playing contract of Ben Hunt.

www.dragons.com.au

 

[Dorothy the Winowhore]

Smells like Roosters to me. Why the sudden turn around so soon after signing new contract. Wants to win a comp in the next 2 years....won't at Dogs or Titans. Which team has started having a halves crisis recently? Put 2 and 2 together and the answer is Politis. But....Hunt is no Cronk

 

[getsmarty]

‘Sick and tired’: The ‘favourites’ to sign Hunt as text message confirms Dragons’ worst fears

‘Sick and tired’: The ‘favourites’ to sign Hunt as text message confirms Dragons’ worst fears

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Ruby Roundhouse]

James Hooper is an absolute turd. He asked Webb if the club was concerned that they are being called a shambles. That was his rhetoric on NRL 360......and nauseum. Him and Anasta seem to be praying for Hunt to go to the Dogs. Loved Tallis's and Graham's comments. Tallis surprised and impressed me with his take on it all.

do yourselves a favour and don't give them views or clicks, they are parasites.

if you want a decent footy show, watch horo and willie on youtube

 

[Ruby Roundhouse]

we should hold onto hunt this year, and use him as a bargaining chip

no point keeping him here under contract next year

 

[Gourley's Socks]

While i might appreciate the disappointment Hunt has with the BOD and their poor management and behaviour in the sacking of Hook and hanging the players out to dry with the media, I don’t feel that is enough to warrant an easy release.
So no free pass to leave. If he wants to go then we need something in exchange. Big dollars or a player swap. And if he stays… he has a bit of work to deserve the role of captaincy and leader of the club.

Good points Dea.

It's odd to blame a lack of leadership as an excuse for a leader abandoning their team mates.

If anything, this latest act proves he fits right in.

 

[jeffdragon]

Lawrie and Lomax on Matty Johns.
Had Buzz on didn't ask the boys about Hunt.

 

[56to66]

No Do Not Release him, this is bigger than winning games, Like Tallis sit on the sidelines until a big swap deal is Done and 4 million salary cap dispensation, from the NRL.
If the Dragons release him, it will show how weak they are!

 

[Maddragon99]

Dragons statement regarding Ben Hunt contract​

AuthorDragons.com.audragons.com.auTimestampSun 18 Jun 2023, 02:49 PM

​

The Dragons can confirm that today the club received a request from the management of Ben Hunt for a release from his playing contract. This request has been denied.
“Ben is contracted through to the end of the 2025 season and is a big part of the current and future plans of the Dragons as the club builds towards achieving sustained success in the coming years,” said Dragons CEO Ryan Webb.

“We’re committed to working with Ben to understand and address his concerns as we all have the same goal of building a strong and successful club."

Dragons statement regarding Ben Hunt contract

The Dragons have issued the following statement regarding the playing contract of Ben Hunt.

www.dragons.com.au

I just read this, I applaud Webb for telling Hunt to shove it but surely’24 & ‘25 are Flanno’s decision?

Spare a thought for poor Ryan Carr, as if his job wasn’t hard enough already. Now he’ll have to decide to whether to take the captaincy away or not. de Belin has his critics which is fair enough but at least Jack just recommitted to the club unlike Hunt the sook.