Ben Hunt is no longer a Dragon, with St George Illawarra terminating the club captain’s $1 million contract today.
The Dragons had given Hunt, 34, permission to speak to rival clubs as soon as the NRL season ended, but then decided they didn’t want him on the books for 2025 either way.
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This offseason has seen Hunt and his club since 2018 lock horns several times, starting with a leak around his postseason review. Hunt was allegedly blasted by Shane Flanagan and Dean Young for not living up to his hefty pay packet or properly leading the team around the park as captain – a role he’s been in since the 2021 season.
Hunt then made several suggestions while away at Kangaroos camp that he was agitating for a move. He also tipped Clint Gutherson, who the Dragons want to sign, to replace Flanagan’s son Kyle.
Things came to a head when insiders tipped the media off that Hunt was refusing to return to the team.
Hunt originally asked for a release this time last year – and 12 months later, he got his wish.
#NRL breaking 🔴⚪🐉 Ben Hunt and the @NRL_Dragons have this morning agreed to a mutual contract termination. Hunt released from the club effective immediately pic.twitter.com/p60GlfrrFu
— The Sporting Base – NRL (@BaseNrl) October 29, 2024
Dragons CEO Ryan Webb said the club needed “to do what’s best” for them. “Ben’s been an important part of our club and we are grateful for his contributions. We wish him and his family all the best.”
Shane Flanagan, who has been very eager and open about needing to turn over as much of the Dragons playing roster as he can this past year, added: “No one player, person, staff member or coach is bigger than the club. This decision allows us to get moving (in recruitment) for next year and beyond and I’m more than confident on what will unfold.”
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Hunt said in a statement he’s “grateful” for everything the Dragons have done for him.
