Shane Flanagan wants to bring Tom Dearden to St George Illawarra as he believes the off-contract half will help keep Ben Hunt at the Dragons rather than serve as the veteran’s replacement.
Just one month into the top job at the Dragons, Flanagan has made his intentions known of wanting to attract top-line talent to Wollongong.
The premiership-winning Cronulla coach maintains the Dragons are only three signings away from being the football side he wants, pointing to similar moves he made early in his time at the Sharks.
Flanagan made early waves by declaring his interest in Joey Manu, but now concedes it is unlikely any club would be able to lure the Kiwis star away from the Sydney Roosters.
Addin Fonua-Blake does remain a priority with the prop having requested an immediate release this month before being talked into staying for 2024.
Dearden is another target for Flanagan with the 22-year-old off contract at North Queensland at the end of next season and already a free agent able to field offers from rivals.
“Tommy’s very similar to Joey (Manu), in that if he decides I want to test the market …he knows that we would love to talk,” Flanagan told AAP.
“He’s a young half, played Origin. Got the world at his feet.
“He could be the future halfback of this club for another five or six years. It would be silly not to investigate if he’s on the market.
“I don’t know if he is open to moving, we’ve spoken, but Tom is a different young kid as well. He doesn’t like the fanfare and the media and all that sort of stuff.
“We’ll respect that and when and if the time comes, well we’ll do our best.”
Dearden’s signature could theoretically allow the Dragons to facilitate Hunt’s exit, given the halfback’s well-known wish to be released from the final two years of his contract to return to Queensland.
But Flanagan made clear that was not the case.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
He firmly maintains Hunt’s desire to leave can be fixed with results on the field and the recruitment of players like Dearden would prove the club is headed in the right direction.
“Ben would be that excited to have Tommy here at the club,” Flanagan said. “Ben’s frustration with the club is like many other people and many other supporters that we haven’t been winning.
“Ben wears his heart on his sleeve. And he’s the captain of the club that hasn’t done really well. So it weighs heavily on him. But every conversation from day one with Ben, I’ve said I’m not going to release him and there’s never been an argument of why or how.
“It’s always been ‘I understand Flanno, let’s move forward’.”
Flanagan also insisted Hunt remained the right man to be Dragons captain, despite the knocked-back request.
“He has the respect of the playing group,” Flanagan said. “They were a bit upset about what happened last year, but he’s got the respect of the playing group because he’s got the runs on the board.
“He’s played for his country. In big moments for the Dragons he can come up with some big plays.”
Tony
Roar Guru
Hopefully in reserve grade. I'm well and truly over Bird
aerial lizard
Roar Rookie
Jack Bird can play both positions, as well as lock, centre and back row, on the same day.
Damien Calgaro
Roar Rookie
What a joke. Pandering to Ben Hunt once again even after he said he wants out of the club. The fact he's still captain says everything about the club and where its at. Its a club with no pride anymore. Instead he should be turfed out the door. Flanagan is showing how desperate he is trying to hang on to Ben Hunt after everything he's said. Its actually embarrassing.
KenW
Roar Rookie
There's no getting around it. Linking Hunt to Queensland clubs will continue to be a go-to story if there's nothing to write about regardless of whether there's actually anything new.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I'd reckon the whole Dragons Club would have the tom tits. Sadly though it doesn't look like easing up any time soon. It's an easy target for lazy media hacks to write about, along with poaching rugby players. It's interesting there's been no stories about off season madness. It's nearly 8 weeks since the GF, so surely someone has done something naughty in the NRL world
andrew
Roar Rookie
It's like automatic replay BG. I'd say Flanagan's probably getting the s###s hearing about it.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Flanagan's already got a hard enough job trying to lift the Dragons, without having to constantly fend off questions about Clubs supposedly sniffing around Ben Hunt. I wonder how many times he has to tell everyone that Hunt is not for sale now.
andrew
Roar Rookie
In today's local rag, the GC Bulletin, there's an article about how the Titans should again make a play for Hunt. Spry,who was the victim of a coward punch has left the club, opening up a spot. AJ Brimson's putting his 10 cents in saying Hunt'd be good for the Titans. Here we go again. Wonder what Dessie's thinking.
KenW
Roar Rookie
I doubt that's his main rationale - it's just the attention grabbing quote that stuck in the headline. He does say that he would want Dearden to be the halfback for many years - so clearly he's primarily thinking of him as Hunt's replacement - he's just hosing down the idea that signing a good half would mean an immediate release for Hunt.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
No....buy Dearden because he may well be the breakout star of the next couple of years - and someone you can build a team around. I say all in for Dearden
Arcturus
Roar Rookie
Buy Tom Dearden to make Ben Hunt happy? That's got to be just about the stupidest reason to hire someone I've ever heard. Ben Hunt is 33, and he will be gone one way or another in two years in any case. What are we going to do then? Buy someone to make Tom Dearden happy? If Sloane or Lomax is unhappy, do we buy them someone too? Personally I think the Dragons have little hope of getting Dearden. It would not be in Dearden's best interests and the Cowboys would be stupid to let him go. But either way the Dragons need to stop basing decisions on what is best for Ben Hunt.
Tony
Roar Guru
And a 5/8 and fullback would be handy
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
We need at least two middles.
Tony
Roar Guru
There won't be too many. They've already got 27 signed for 2024
John Shaw
Roar Rookie
I'm wondering when the Dragons will start to announce some signings for 2024. The pickings are getting slimmer and slimmer.