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The Rumours Thread

M

mattchuot

Juniors
Messages
128
John moz said:
Hunt close to signing a 1 year extension
Click to expand...
Flanno was on SEN this morning and was asked about the halves situation. He said there isn’t much quality on the market so he likes to think the club will be able to develop internally. Didn’t mention any names but said there are 2 juniors earmarked that could potentially debut next year to set up for a transition year in 2026 if Hunt extends.
 
H

hewi

Bench
Messages
3,924
Flanagan will sink or swim over this. Personally im not keen.
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NRL 2024: Ben Hunt set to sign one-year extension with St George Illawarra Dragons | transfer news​

St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has revealed he will meet with Ben Hunt to finalise a new contract for 2026, with an extension now a formality.
Dean Ritchie Dean RitchieExclusive

@BulldogRitchie

2 min read
June 12, 2024 - 11:41AM
News Sport Network
https://archive.md/xssEV/again?url=.../c9266edd2990de629aed284d8cc7aad3#share-tools
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NRL: Dragons coach Shane Flanagan and skipper Ben Hunt discuss a huge win over the Wests Tigers at WIN Stadium.
The hunt for Ben is just about over – and it will have historic ramifications.
Over a “feed” in the next fortnight, Dragons coach Shane Flanagan will meet with star halfback Ben Hunt and wife Bridget to finalise a new contract for 2026.
Both parties are comfortable with the club’s direction and a one-year extension is now a formality. The final layer in negotiations will be money but Flanagan is aware what Hunt is worth and will pay it.
Flanagan will more likely meet with Hunt after the Queensland champion returns to Wollongong after State of Origin II in Melbourne on June 26.
An official announcement could be just a fortnight away.
Hunt’s new deal will push him into the NRL record books. He has currently played 324 NRL games for Brisbane and St George Illawarra since debuting in 2009.
With 11 regular season games remaining this year, plus another two full seasons, with the possibility of additional finals games, Hunt will finish around 385 games, barring injury.
That would place him second overall to Melbourne’s Cam Smith, who hold the all-time record of 430 NRL games.
Ben Hunt. Picture: NRL Photos

Ben Hunt. Picture: NRL Photos
Smith’s former Storm teammate Cooper Cronk is second on 372. With 385 games, Hunt would wedge himself between the pair. Another Queenslander, Darren Lockyer (355), is third.
Hunt’s impending extension is a remarkable about-face given he formally and publicly sought a release in 2023 after the club sacked coach Anthony Griffin.
“It’s probable – but anything is possible,” said Hunt’s manager, Col Davis.
Rockhampton-born Hunt was linked to a return to Queensland, possibly the Gold Coast, but wants to include himself in Flanagan’s vision for the Dragons, who have won seven from 13 games this season.
“Ben has told me he wants to stay,” Flanagan said. “I will sit down with Ben and Bridget in the next week or two, have a feed, and talk about it. We’ll go from there. Ben is happy where the club is heading and wants to be part of it.
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Brent Read, Matt Encarnacion and Pamela Whaley explain the latest drama at the Wests Tigers, and discuss when the club might see some blue sky. They take a look at the Bulldogs good form and whether or not Latrell Mitchell and Mitch Moses have done enough to make NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire take notice ahead of Origin II.
“He is all about winning and we are winning football games. We’re lucky to have him and we want to keep him. He is crucial to our club. Ben’s our captain, a rep player and a halfback.
“It’s not something we’re in a rush to get done but we’ll sit down as soon as possible when time allows us. We are going into an important game against Manly this week and then Ben will head into (Queensland) camp so we will have to get to each other at the right time.
“Ben trains all the time. It’s not like he’s injured and has one day at training and then the next day off. His body is still in good shape, he’s looked after himself for a long period of time. That’s the modern day footballer.”
Hunt has already posted 32 try involvements this year – that’s 2.6 a game, the most of his career.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
His retention is vital given the club will lose State of Origin winger Zac Lomax to Parramatta next season.
Aged 34, Hunt will be 36 when the extension concludes.
There is no suggestion he will definitely retire after 2026.
Hunt continues to defy his birth certificate along with Queensland teammate and Manly halfback, 35-year-old Daly Cherry-Evans. Hunt’s Dragons play Cherry-Evans’ Manly at 4 Pines Park this Sunday afternoon
 
D

denis preston

First Grade
Messages
8,379
<StGeorgeDragons> said:
so true. lets go with the future

JDB has served us so well while on the field. Off it he brought it to our knees and he really should do what the Dragons want at this point. If not off to the rabbits and we will go with the future.
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Still can’t get over how selfish we was last game. Couchman on his right with no one in front but doesn’t pass and gets tackled. Is that being a hog or a character flaw ?
 
J

JubileeJeffro

Juniors
Messages
554
justadragon said:
Can see your point, but I'd prefer to have JDB in there with those 2, even if it's for a year.
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I wouldn’t like to see JDB blocking the pathways to these 2 playing first grade next year. I actually would be looking to lock them up beyond 2025 before the usual suspects appear and try to poach them.
Next years pack should be;
FR = Molo Liddle New front rower
SR = Leilua and SuA
Lock = Sele

Bench
RFM
Couchman T
Couchman R
Second hooker or spine cover

That leaves extras
Lawrie
Maybe JDB (1 more year)
Eisenuth (1 more year)
 
TheRev

TheRev

First Grade
Messages
9,061
mattchuot said:
Flanno was on SEN this morning and was asked about the halves situation. He said there isn’t much quality on the market so he likes to think the club will be able to develop internally. Didn’t mention any names but said there are 2 juniors earmarked that could potentially debut next year to set up for a transition year in 2026 if Hunt extends.
Click to expand...
He must be talking about King Togia (LKT) and Reed who trained with 1st grade over the off-season, but Reed didnt even get selected in Jersey Flegg yet.. LKT however has been playing some NSW Cup (though only due to Marshke being out).

He could be talking about signing up Glover, who im not a fan of.. but perhaps desperate times..
 
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