St George reject Ben Hunt’s release request, make him stay until 2025 instead of joining Broncos

Ben Hunt is set to remain at St George Illawarra for the remainder of his NRL contract after the club turned down his request to leave during formal talks between the two parties.

In the wake of the Dragons’ coaching upheaval, with Shane Flanagan replacing the sacked Anthony Griffiin for the 2024 season, Hunt sought a move back to Queensland, likely with the Brisbane Broncos.

Hunt was set to join his former club in Brisbane for the remainder of the 2023 season to press for a premiership before taking up a big money deal with the Gold Coast Titans. 

The Dragons had already formally denied his release request earlier in the month and met with him again to discuss the matter in Wollongong on Monday morning.

There, they confirmed Hunt would not be released from the final two-and-a-half years of the contract he signed last October.

The Dragons will release a statement on the matter later on Monday.

St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt is set to be denied a release from his contract and will remain at the Dragons

Hunt reportedly told the Dragons he wanted a release while in camp with the Queensland Maroons for State of Origin

It has been another horror season for the Dragons, currently sitting in last place on the NRL ladder after a 48-10 thumping at the hands of the New Zealand Warriors on Friday. 

It comes after former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke said the Dragons should refuse Hunt’s request to transfer to the Brisbane Broncos for the rest of the season. 

‘In my opinion, I would hold him to .. if you sign a contract as a player — and this is how I play my sport — then I stay until my contract is over,’ he said on Big Sports Breakfast on Monday.

Former Australian cricket captain and current media personality Michael Clarke said cricket players were forced to honour their contracts and NRL players like Hunt should as well

‘Once my contract is over then I can do whatever I want. But I’ve also said in the same breath a club can’t ask that from a player if the club is not going to do the same in return,’ Clarke continued.

‘If he’s going to go to Brisbane and stay there, fair enough. I don’t think it’s right that he should go to a club for the remainder of the season and then go to his final destination. I don’t like that.’

Clarke also rejected suggestions that releasing Hunt now would open up funds to build for next season, with new coach Shane Flanagan tied to the Manly Sea Eagles until the end of the season. 

‘How is it an opportunity for Shane Flanagan when he’s got to stay at Manly right now for the rest of the season? Shane Flanagan is not at the Dragons,’ he said.

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