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St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt’s request for an immediate release has been knocked back with CEO Ryan Webb adamant he will not only remain for the rest of this season but fulfil his contract until the end of 2025.
Hunt signed a two-year contract extension with the Dragons in October last year but when the club sacked close ally Anthony Griffin last month, speculation began that the 33-year-old could lobby to follow him out of the door.
“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 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.”
The Maroons star was not convinced by the appointment of Shane Flanagan as head coach at the Dragons and formally requested to leave the club that he joined in 2018.
As first reported by the Sydney Morning Herald, he has been disillusioned with the direction of the club in the wake of Anthony Griffin’s sacking.
Hunt confirmed to NewsCorp on Sunday morning that “the club has been made aware of my request for a release”.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
The Blues are expecting he will have little trouble neutralising the outside noise as he returns to Suncorp Stadium as a Maroon for the first time since his match-winning performance in last year’s series decider.
“Ben Hunt’s a very experienced player,” Blues assistant coach Greg Alexander said. “He’s been through contract situations before. It’s water off a duck’s back.”
Flanagan had told 2GB earlier on Saturday that the halfback was in his plans and would remain at the club.
“From the club’s perspective, Ben Hunt will be there,” he said. “He’s got a contract. I spoke to Ben before I actually signed because I didn’t want to become the Dragons coach and then (have) our halfback wanting out of the club, and he was fine with all that if I was to get the job.”
In the now unlikely event that he manages to be granted a release, he will not lack for suitors.
Hunt’s future has been in doubt for months, with the halfback courted by several NRL clubs, including Sydney rivals Canterbury and the Gold Coast Titans.
The Raiders, who have salary cap space following the impending departure of Jack Wighton, will be in the mix, as will the Tigers after Luke Brooks announced his intention to leave.
The Dolphins, too, are on the lookout for a marquee player. They and the Titans would be considered among the favourites given Hunt’s stated desire to return to his native Queensland when he retires and his history with Redcliffe coach Wayne Bennett, whom he played under at Brisbane.
Hunt has previously expressed support for the decision to appoint Flanagan for 2024.
“I think it’s what they needed,” he said during the week in Maroons camp. “He’s obviously shown he can do it before. He’s won premierships and knows what it takes to build a good team and successful club. I think that’s why they went in that direction.
“I haven’t talked to Flanno or anyone since the decisions were made. At the moment I’m getting through Origin camp and then I’ll talk to those guys.
“There’s always a couple of clubs interested that have thrown their hat in the ring.
“I’m not going to go into too many details. I haven’t had any official offers or anything from anyone at all. At the moment I’m contracted to the Dragons.”
For their part, the Dragons have no shortage of other playmaking options, with highly touted local products Junior Amone and Jayden Sullivan currently jostling to partner Hunt in the halves.
Griffin’s loyalty to Hunt had previously been a source of tension at the Red V. Sullivan requested an early release from his own contract in October when Hunt blocked his path to a full-time role in the starting side.
He later recanted and remains tied with the club through 2025, with Amone signed on until 2024.
with AAP