An early candidate has emerged to signal Ben Hunt after the Dragons mutually agreed to finish the star playmaker’s contract, efficient instantly.
St George Illawarra confirmed the information in a press release on Wednesday morning, chopping brief the halfback’s time on the membership by 12 months.
Simply hours after the choice was made, Dolphins boss Terry Reader stated the membership have been open to talking with Hunt and his administration.
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“The Dolphins have all the time stated that we’re serious about good gamers which can be obtainable,” he informed The Sydney Morning Herald.
Ben Hunt’s time on the Crimson V is formally over. Getty
“We solely discovered of the state of affairs relating to Ben Hunt from the media this morning and haven’t had any contact with him or his administration in relation to him coming.
“Nonetheless we’re positive if he’s serious about talking to us, we are going to hear from his administration.”
The choice from the Dragons ends greater than 12 months of turmoil and hypothesis surrounding Hunt and his relationship with the membership.
The 34-year-old requested to be launched on quite a few events final 12 months, however was denied and his relationship with the membership appeared to enhance within the early levels of 2024, culminating in preliminary talks being opened for a contract extension.
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These talks have been placed on pause however finally taken no additional and Dragons chief govt Ryan Webb stated the choice to half with the halfback was “not simple and never taken calmly”.
“We have to do what’s greatest for the membership presently,” he stated.
“After in depth discussions with Ben and his administration, it grew to become clear that that is the perfect path ahead for each events. It permits the membership to overtly discover the participant market and deal with the long run.
“Ben has been an necessary a part of our membership and we’re grateful for his contributions. We want him and his household all the perfect of their subsequent chapter.”
Hunt stated he was “grateful” for his time on the membership and the last word name to grant him a launch.
“I’m grateful for every little thing the membership has carried out for me through the years and recognize them permitting me to discover different alternatives,” Hunt stated within the membership’s assertion.
Hunt’s departure comes regardless of Flanagan claiming in interviews final week that there have been “no points” between the events, and anticipated Hunt to return to pre-season coaching in January as contractually obliged.
Ben Hunt and Shane Flanagan endured a testy relationship. Getty
“I do not see any points there, to be actually trustworthy, I am comfy with my relationship with Ben. The membership’s decided,” he stated.
“We simply transfer on. He’ll be again at coaching. I have never bought the precise date, but it surely’ll most likely be early January. So we simply transfer on.”
Hunt has lengthy been linked with a transfer again to Queensland, though it has additionally been reported that he could be comfy staying in Sydney for the best value.
Canterbury seems to be one of many favourites to signal Hunt, probably on a two-year dea as they proceed to develop teen sensation Mitchell Woods.
Hunt’s exit from the Dragons will unencumber vital wage cap house, with the likes of Clint Gutherson, Josh Addo-Carr or probably Ryan Papenhuyzen on the radar.
