Ben Hunt and Shane Flanagan's relationship 'unworkable' as ugly new details come to light

Ben Hunt's relationship with Shane Flanagan is reportedly at the point of no return following a brutal end-of-season review. The Dragons captain is expected set to voluntarily relinquish his captaincy ahead of next season and there are widespread reports the halfback may never play for the Red V again.

Hunt endured a tough season in the NRL in 2024 and came under fire for his side's late-season collapse that saw them drop out of the top eight and miss out on playing finals footy. In the Dragons' season review Hunt, whose contract is worth over $1 million a season, was told "his performances – including his defence, kicking game and leadership – when his team’s finals hopes hung in the balance were not befitting of his standing in the side". And according to SMH’s Danny Weidler, Hunt was deeply hurt and offended at being 'salary shamed'.

"It has been several weeks now since we revealed that Ben Hunt’s salary was thrown in his face during his season review. There has been no denial from the Dragons in that time," Weidler wrote in an SMH column on Saturday.

"The situation is unworkable and the best thing is for Hunt to walk away from the club. You will remember Hunt was forced to stay when he asked for an early release last year. Then at the end of the season he was criticised for being on a big contract. It feels like the time is up on the relationship between player and club, and a fresh start for both is needed."

Weidler also noted that Hunt felt singled out due to the widespread praise his fellow playmaker Kyle Flanagan received. The No.7's situation at the Red V has also led rugby league great Andrew Johns to form the opinion that he won't play another game for the Dragons.

The Knights legend suggested a three-way move with Hunt to the Titans, Gold Coast hooker Sam Verrills to the Roosters to cover the injured Brandon Smith and Storm utility Tyran Wishart to the Dragons could solve several issues. “I’ve heard Sam Verrills may be going back to the Roosters … have a look at Brandon Smith, he won’t play until mid-next year,” Johns said on WWOS’ Freddy and the Eighth. “So that opens the way for Ben Hunt to go to the Titans.

Dragons face NRL captaincy crisis with Ben Hunt situation

If Hunt does voluntarily give up the captaincy as anticipated the Dragons face a real problem with who to appoint their leader in 2025. The club has limited leadership options with Jack de Belin reported to be the other dominant voice in the dressing room.

However, club officials have previously opted to not give the captaincy to de Belin due to his off-field court matters - where he was exiled under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy. Leading NRL journo Michael Chammas told Channel 9’s Sunday Footy Show the club may be forced to look at recruits Damien Cook or Valentine Holmes as potential captaincy options.

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“I have a feeling that Ben Hunt may relinquish the captaincy willingly,” Chammas said. “And then who would step up? That’s the problem with St George. Maybe you go with someone who’s new. Maybe you go with Damien Cook or Val Holmes because the leader in that football team, if you ask the club, is Jack de Belin, and we know that in the past they’ve been reluctant to hand Jack de Belin, the captaincy, given his previous issues that he’s had.

“So I wouldn’t be surprised if Ben Hunt comes back and says, ‘You know what, I’m just going to focus on my footy, give the captaincy to somebody else’.”