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The drums are definitely beating when what should be a confidential individual performance review is leaked to the media.
As a rule the contracts in the NRL usually increase, especially during the final one to two years of the longer term contracts.
Crownies are over rated
Well done Dean YoungIn the Dragons review it was raised that Hunt did not play up to his expected standards. His extension has been removed but he's still signed for 05.
I don't think there's any supporting statements to say he's gone.
Slow news Thursday folks.
Ben Hunt told his play not up to standard in scathing Dragons review
Dragons captain was told his performances – including his defence, kicking game and leadership – when his team’s finals hopes hung in the balance weren’t befitting of his seniority in the side.www.smh.com.au
Lindsay, as a newbie to the forum I extend a warm welcome. We all know crownies are shit, however, as a lot of old/long term forum members know, they are a Board and Doustie favourite.
So, if that is the case, Lawrie will have no trouble finding a new club. Or are umteen clubs chsing him.
No we don't want to "find a near like-for-like replacement" that just means we will still be in the same position, we need better...
If Hunt again wants out there should be no payout by saints as it is Hunt who wants to breach his contract. If he stays, then drop him to reserve grade until he realizes that his value will drop dramatically.I realize that we require a suitable replacement should Hunt be allowed to return North of the border , but we need to understand that their will be a relatively large payout on our part to get his little feet off in the right direction.
Still I really believe that the Dragons have no choice in the matter , as Hunt although skilful at times simply has not got our team going . His absolute refusal to play anywhere but at halfback in other words do the best thing by the team is downright bloody disgusting , so in my view let him go to the Titans even although it will undoubtedly cost us money .
A sobering thought for all - did not Sam Verrills play hooker for the Titans ? That is the position that our captain who has red & white blood pumping through his veins will be playing should this rumour come to fruition .
Good on ya Shane ! Send the little beggar on his way , the Dragons require a true halfback who at the very least knows how to pepper the opposition with astute kicking , placing them on the back foot .More petrol on the fire. Love it.
View attachment 93978
NRL 2024: Ben Hunt could move to Titans after scathing Dragons post-season review
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has broken his silence on a scathing post-season review of Ben Hunt that could see the under fire star offloaded to an Queensland rival.
Peter Badel, Phil Rothfield, Brent Read and Michael Carayannis
https://archive.md/bGqjP#share-tools
It's finals time and Buzz announces his four-man finals podcast team with a surprise omission. The guys discuss Nathan Cleary's return and his shoulder injury, as Mick reveals a bizarre shower mishap behind his own dislocated shoulder. They preview all four finals, discuss Spencer Leniu's Penrith return, Newcastle's roster juggling, the impact of Josh Addo-Carr's loss to Canterbury and the Sharks' chances against the Storm. Plus, Buzz tries to uncover Mick and Dave's feuds of 2024, while also revealing who doesn't cop him!
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has broken his silence on a scathing post-season review of Ben Hunt that could see the under fire Queensland Origin star offloaded to the Titans.
This masthead understands the Gold Coast have re-emerged as a possible home for Hunt after NRL Immortal Andrew Johns declared the embattled skipper would not be at the Dragons in 2025.
Hunt has been linked with the Titans for 12 months and his mooted transfer appeared to have been scuppered at the start of this season after he smoked the peace pipe with the Dragons following Flanagan’s arrival as coach.
But Hunt’s future at the Red V is under a fresh cloud following a Dragons post-mortem that fingered their $6 million halfback for failing to lead the club to this year’s finals.
Dragons star Ben Hunt faces an uncertain future at the club, after a scathing post-season review from coach Shane Flanagan. Picture: Getty Images
Titans coach Des Hasler is desperate for a top quality No.7 and it’s understood the Dragons would not stand in the way of Hunt moving to the Gold Coast if they could secure another player of desired value.
Speculation is rife the Titans are open to a two-year contract lifeline and the fallout from the Dragons’ shocking late-season collapse could trigger the 34-year-old’s Red V exit.
Flanagan spoke to this masthead on Thursday night to address suggestions the Dragons skipper copped brickbats as part of a candid post-season review.
“His review was fine, not that I have to tell anyone about our private conversations,” Flanagan said.
“We discussed the team’s form and his own form.
“He’s contracted to be here next year and nothing has changed.”
Flanagan blew up at Hunt after their Round 26 loss to Parramatta which cost the Dragons a spot in the finals
Hunt had an animated conversation with Flanagan in the sheds after his side’s capitulation against Parramatta a fortnight ago, with the coach later dismissing talk of a rift.
However, it was the most significant sign yet of cracks between Flanagan and Hunt, who has been a longstanding target for the Titans after they were linked with him at the end of last season.
On that occasion, the Dragons dug in their heels, rejecting a release, but Channel 9 commentator Johns reignited the rumour mill on Thursday on his weekly podcast when he suggested Hunt wouldn’t be at the club next season.
Johns claimed the Titans would create room in their cap by allowing hooker Sam Verrills to return to the Sydney Roosters.
Asked if Hunt would be at St George Illawarra in 2025, Johns said bluntly: “No.
“I’ve heard Sam Verrills may be going back to the Roosters … have a look at Brandon Smith, he won’t play until mid-next year.
“So that opens the way for Ben Hunt to go to the Titans.
“Because Ben Hunt has been (saying) the last couple of years ‘I want to go back to Queensland’.
“Yeah, I do (think they will let him go).”
Titans coach Des Hasler is desperate for a top quality halfback. Picture: Getty Images
Hasler did not return calls on Thursday night but the Titans are facing a scrumbase crisis. Veteran playmaker Kieran Foran is expected to retire at the end of 2025, while Tanah Boyd is on the outer and Wallabies convert Carter Gordon is unproven in the halves.
The answer could be Hunt, a veteran of 334 NRL games who purchased a $2.7 million property in the Byron Bay hinterland in May, fuelling talk he was headed to the Gold Coast.
Flanagan confirmed Hunt remains a free agent for 2026, by which time the Test utility would be 36 years old.
“We haven’t made an offer beyond next year – so how can we withdraw it,” he said.
“We always planned to talk next year after the pre-season.
“The communication lines are open between the club and Ben.”
Asked before State of Origin I this year if he had closed the door on a Queensland homecoming at the Titans, Hunt said: “Mate, I am not closing the door on anything at all.
“At the moment, I’m happy at the Dragons and we’ll work through it.”
The bumbling Titans finished in the bottom four again this year and Hunt’s experience could help trigger a Gold Coast revival in the coming seasons
It was Flanno's dealings with RCG's management. Let our CEO solve the problem and pave the way for RCG to come to the Dragons.
Good on ya Shane ! Send the little beggar on his way , the Dragons require a true halfback who at the very least knows how to pepper the opposition with astute kicking , placing them on the back foot .
Bon Voyage Hunt - and don’t send us any postcards !
More petrol on the fire. Love it.
View attachment 93978
NRL 2024: Ben Hunt could move to Titans after scathing Dragons post-season review
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has broken his silence on a scathing post-season review of Ben Hunt that could see the under fire star offloaded to an Queensland rival.
Peter Badel, Phil Rothfield, Brent Read and Michael Carayannis
https://archive.md/bGqjP#share-tools
It's finals time and Buzz announces his four-man finals podcast team with a surprise omission. The guys discuss Nathan Cleary's return and his shoulder injury, as Mick reveals a bizarre shower mishap behind his own dislocated shoulder. They preview all four finals, discuss Spencer Leniu's Penrith return, Newcastle's roster juggling, the impact of Josh Addo-Carr's loss to Canterbury and the Sharks' chances against the Storm. Plus, Buzz tries to uncover Mick and Dave's feuds of 2024, while also revealing who doesn't cop him!
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has broken his silence on a scathing post-season review of Ben Hunt that could see the under fire Queensland Origin star offloaded to the Titans.
This masthead understands the Gold Coast have re-emerged as a possible home for Hunt after NRL Immortal Andrew Johns declared the embattled skipper would not be at the Dragons in 2025.
Hunt has been linked with the Titans for 12 months and his mooted transfer appeared to have been scuppered at the start of this season after he smoked the peace pipe with the Dragons following Flanagan’s arrival as coach.
But Hunt’s future at the Red V is under a fresh cloud following a Dragons post-mortem that fingered their $6 million halfback for failing to lead the club to this year’s finals.
Dragons star Ben Hunt faces an uncertain future at the club, after a scathing post-season review from coach Shane Flanagan. Picture: Getty Images
Titans coach Des Hasler is desperate for a top quality No.7 and it’s understood the Dragons would not stand in the way of Hunt moving to the Gold Coast if they could secure another player of desired value.
Speculation is rife the Titans are open to a two-year contract lifeline and the fallout from the Dragons’ shocking late-season collapse could trigger the 34-year-old’s Red V exit.
Flanagan spoke to this masthead on Thursday night to address suggestions the Dragons skipper copped brickbats as part of a candid post-season review.
“His review was fine, not that I have to tell anyone about our private conversations,” Flanagan said.
“We discussed the team’s form and his own form.
“He’s contracted to be here next year and nothing has changed.”
Flanagan blew up at Hunt after their Round 26 loss to Parramatta which cost the Dragons a spot in the finals
Hunt had an animated conversation with Flanagan in the sheds after his side’s capitulation against Parramatta a fortnight ago, with the coach later dismissing talk of a rift.
However, it was the most significant sign yet of cracks between Flanagan and Hunt, who has been a longstanding target for the Titans after they were linked with him at the end of last season.
On that occasion, the Dragons dug in their heels, rejecting a release, but Channel 9 commentator Johns reignited the rumour mill on Thursday on his weekly podcast when he suggested Hunt wouldn’t be at the club next season.
Johns claimed the Titans would create room in their cap by allowing hooker Sam Verrills to return to the Sydney Roosters.
Asked if Hunt would be at St George Illawarra in 2025, Johns said bluntly: “No.
“I’ve heard Sam Verrills may be going back to the Roosters … have a look at Brandon Smith, he won’t play until mid-next year.
“So that opens the way for Ben Hunt to go to the Titans.
“Because Ben Hunt has been (saying) the last couple of years ‘I want to go back to Queensland’.
“Yeah, I do (think they will let him go).”
Titans coach Des Hasler is desperate for a top quality halfback. Picture: Getty Images
Hasler did not return calls on Thursday night but the Titans are facing a scrumbase crisis. Veteran playmaker Kieran Foran is expected to retire at the end of 2025, while Tanah Boyd is on the outer and Wallabies convert Carter Gordon is unproven in the halves.
The answer could be Hunt, a veteran of 334 NRL games who purchased a $2.7 million property in the Byron Bay hinterland in May, fuelling talk he was headed to the Gold Coast.
Flanagan confirmed Hunt remains a free agent for 2026, by which time the Test utility would be 36 years old.
“We haven’t made an offer beyond next year – so how can we withdraw it,” he said.
“We always planned to talk next year after the pre-season.
“The communication lines are open between the club and Ben.”
Asked before State of Origin I this year if he had closed the door on a Queensland homecoming at the Titans, Hunt said: “Mate, I am not closing the door on anything at all.
“At the moment, I’m happy at the Dragons and we’ll work through it.”
The bumbling Titans finished in the bottom four again this year and Hunt’s experience could help trigger a Gold Coast revival in the
Possum old mate , we have all been through these same scenarios before without any true resolution and most unfortunately never to our expectations .
Let's hope that the Dragons are not pushing him out but just agreeing to release him if he wishes for a release. If he does not go, he can play reserve grade and watch his value fall through the floor.Possum old mate , we have all been through these same scenarios before without any true resolution and most unfortunately never to our expectations .
Yes , in a perfect world I would much prefer to see him go with no pay-out , but common sense must prevail - he will not go anywhere without a substantial amount in his pocket/s .
Why ? He is still a contracted player with the Dragons . Enough said .
