Ben Hunt’s ongoing saga with St George Illawarra and coach Shane Flanagan appears to have hit a new low, with reports the relationship has become “untenable”.
Uncertainty around the veteran halfback’s future with the Dragons has been simmering for months, with Hunt currently contracted until the end of 2025.
Hunt, 34, had expressed an interest in extending his deal into 2026, but contracts talks were put on hold by the Red V.
In a chat with the SMH, Flanagan conceded “probably it could be a little bit of my fault” those talks didn’t happen, making the blunt admission: “As the season went on there were other priorities and Ben got put on the back burner.”
Hunt inflamed the situation by suggesting departing Parramatta five-eighth Clint Gutherson could be a good fit for the Dragons, despite Flanagan’s son Kyle being the incumbent in that position for the joint venture club.
Hunt is currently in camp with the Kangaroos and is expected to rejoin the Dragons for pre-season training in January ahead of what would likely be his final season with the club.
But the SMH is reporting Hunt is now intent on severing ties with Flanagan and the club as soon as possible, with the paper stating a source had declared “the relationship between coach and captain has become untenable”.
Hunt had reportedly been given permission to negotiate with rivals before he becomes a free agent come November 1, but reporter David Riccio told SEN there is little interest from rival clubs in the veteran playmaker.
“There are no suitors for Ben Hunt. Clubs are not going to invest in a 35-year-old before you see what other dominoes fall after November 1.”
Shane Flanagan addressed rumours of media leaks after the club’s exit review with Hunt and his comments suggest the relationship is on its last legs.
“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, (assistant coach) 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 didn’t want to speculate on the prospect of Hunt leaving anytime soon, stating the Queenslander is “under contract”.
Asked if Hunt could be the one leaking information to the media, Flanagan replied: “No.
“Well, I don’t know. But as I said, he wouldn’t have said what he said because it didn’t happen.”
Flanagan had previously labelled Hunt’s sly dig at halves partner Kyle “a little bit frustrating”.
When asked if the comment was a direct sledge at Kyle, Shane Flanagan said: “I’m not quite sure. Maybe Kyle moves to halfback and (Hunt) was insinuating that he wouldn’t be here.
“I’m not quite sure which way he was going with that one. I’ll talk to Ben about that.
“I’m not going to speculate on if he was having a shot at someone or whether he was speculating that he wouldn’t be here.
“It was a strange one and a little bit frustrating, to be honest.”
Flanagan also revealed the club had sat down with Gutherson, who will reportedly make a decision on his future in the coming days.
If Gutherson was to join the club, Flanagan said Tyrell Sloan would still be a “big part” of their plans and could potentially play on the wing.
“I think it’d be fantastic for Tyrell’s development to have someone like ‘Gutho’ around,” he said.
Hunt’s St George Illawarra future will reportedly be decided by his performances to start the 2025 season, with the Dragons refusing to hand him an extension for the 2026 season as it stands.
But it looks increasingly likely the situation will be resolved sooner than that.
