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 mentioned the membership have been open to talking with Hunt and his administration.
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“The Dolphins have at all times mentioned that we’re involved in good gamers which are obtainable,” he instructed The Sydney Morning Herald.
Ben Hunt’s time on the Pink V is formally over. Getty
“We solely realized of the state of affairs concerning Ben Hunt from the media this morning and haven’t had any contact with him or his administration in relation to him coming.
“Nevertheless we’re certain if he’s involved in 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 yr, 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 in the end taken no additional and Dragons chief govt Ryan Webb mentioned the choice to half with the halfback was “not straightforward and never taken evenly”.
“We have to do what’s greatest for the membership presently,” he mentioned.
“After intensive discussions with Ben and his administration, it turned clear that that is the perfect path ahead for each events. It permits the membership to brazenly discover the participant market and give attention to the long run.
“Ben has been an vital 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 mentioned he was “grateful” for his time on the membership and the last word name to grant him a launch.
“I’m grateful for all the things the membership has executed for me over time and admire them permitting me to discover different alternatives,” Hunt mentioned 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 sincere, I am snug with my relationship with Ben. The membership’s decided,” he mentioned.
“We simply transfer on. He’ll be again at coaching. I have never received the precise date, nevertheless it’ll in all probability 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 snug staying in Sydney for the correct worth.
Canterbury seems to be one of many favourites to signal Hunt, presumably on a two-year dea as they proceed to develop teen sensation Mitchell Woods.
Hunt’s exit from the Dragons will unlock vital wage cap area, with the likes of Clint Gutherson, Josh Addo-Carr or probably Ryan Papenhuyzen on the radar.
