Relations between Ben Hunt and St George Illawarra have hit a new low with the star playmaker not wanting to return to pre-season training with the Dragons.
Coach Shane Flanagan conducted media interviews on Friday and some of his comments, including suggestions that Hunt had leaked to the media about his own scathing post-season review, were not lost on the star playmaker’s camp.
“Let me be really clear on the review bit and what was said in the review,” Flanagan told the Herald on Friday. “There were three people in the review: Me, Dean Young and Ben. I can guarantee you, Dean Young didn’t speak to any media and I haven’t spoken to any media about the review. And what’s being said is incorrect. There was no discussion about Ben’s salary and all that sort of stuff. That’s just absolutely rubbish.”
Flanagan also told this masthead it was “a little bit frustrating” to learn publicly that Hunt had endorsed recruitment target Clint Gutherson as an ideal No.6 option, despite Kyle Flanagan, Shane’s son, being the current Dragons five-eighth.
Hunt has tried to keep a low profile and not let the contract drama affect the Kangaroos while he is in camp for the Pacific Championships. He is 18th man for Sunday’s clash against New Zealand in Christchurch. He did not respond to requests for comment when contacted by this masthead on Sunday.
The Kangaroos will break camp next week, but Hunt has told those close to him there is no point rushing home to try to bring the matter to a head with Flanagan, especially after multiple direct requests for an immediate release have already been flatly rejected.
Hunt will instead remain on New Zealand’s south island to holiday with family.
Ben Hunt’s future at the Dragons appears untenable.Credit: Getty Images
Hunt is due back for pre-season training in early January, but sources with knowledge of the situation but not authorised to speak publicly confirmed to this masthead that Hunt has become so disillusioned with the situation that he has no desire to stay at the Dragons or be coached by Flanagan.
