Dragons marquee man Ben Hunt will reportedly request an early release from his contract in a bombshell move in the wake of Shane Flanagan’s appointment.
Flanagan was named St George Illawarra’s coach for the 2024 season two days ago but that move hasn’t been enough to persuade the gun halfback to remain at the club.
According to 9News Danny Weidler, Hunt has told those close to him he wants to depart the Dragons and club powerbrokers are aware of his decision, although he is yet to make contact.
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It comes after Flanagan assured Dragons fans he will not be letting the club’s superstar playmaker go.
Reports have surfaced Hunt received an informal approach from the Titans, who are willing to table a mammoth $900,000-per-season offer.
The Bulldogs have also been linked with the representative star’s services as Phil Gould continues to build a competitive roster in Belmore.
Hunt is contracted until the end of 2025 and Flanagan revealed he had already sat down with his halfback and he “won’t be letting him go”.
“Well, from a club’s perspective Ben Hunt will be there,” Flanagan said on 2GB.
“He’s got a contract, I spoke to Ben before I actually signed because I didn’t want to obviously become the Dragons coach and then our halfback wanting out of the club, and he was fine with all that if I was to get the job.
“He’s in Origin camp at the moment obviously, and I’m not going to worry him while he’s in there, I’ll get to him next week and I’m sure that’s okay.
“But from the club’s perspective, he’s our captain, he’s our halfback and we need him, I won’t be letting him go anywhere.”
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Flanagan has previously worked in the club’s recruitment and retention department before joining the Sea Eagles as an assistant coach.
Now the former Sharks coach is set to mastermind a Dragons rebuild and explained he will utilise Hunt’s connections to sign players.
“I met with him and spoke to him about our relationship and how I need the captain of the club to help me with recruitment and retention,” Flanagan said.
“Playing Origin, conversations that he has with potential players to come to the club are very useful.
“Recruitment and retention, I’ll be doing that behind the scenes.
“I’m lucky that I have had a bit of an insight in to the roster, 18 months or two years ago and it hasn’t changed a great deal.
“I’ll work hard and when I’ve got time away from Manly, I’ll get all those things in place.
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“The first thing I have got to do is make sure I get the right staff around me, really important our high performance area and all my staff, strength and conditioning is in place.
“I have got to get the best in the business.”
Meanwhile, Flanagan also paid tribute to the Manly club for giving him an opportunity in a coach role once again.
Employed Anthony Seibold’s assistant coach, Flanagan explained he will still be making sure the Sea Eagles make a deep finals run.
“I probably wouldn’t be in this position if I didn’t work at Manly this year to be brutally honest,” Flanagan said.
“Going there and having a really defined row with Anthony Seibold, I think it’s helped me get this next opportunity.
“My main focus is at the moment making sure I don’t drop the ball with Manly.”
