Ben Hunt tells St George Illawarra Dragons he wants to LEAVE the NRL club

Ben Hunt has dropped a bombshell by telling the Dragons he wants to leave the club, according to reports.

NRL sides are on red alert after the club captain reportedly informed chiefs of his stance, with St George sat rooted at the bottom of the ladder amid a terrible season which has seen Anthony Griffin lose his job.

And despite landing Shane Flanagan this week, Channel 9’s Danny Weidler  claims Hunt is not convinced of the direction of the club and wants a fresh start elsewhere.

Flanagan has since told Fox Sports that it is his belief that Hunt made the request weeks ago, prior to his appointment, and he wants him to stay at the club. 

‘Well, from a club’s perspective Ben Hunt will be there,’ Flanagan said of the superstar, who is contracted until 2025. 

‘He’s got a contract, I spoke to Ben before I actually signed because I didn’t want to obviously become the Dragons coach and then our halfback wanting out of the club, and he was fine with all that if I was to get the job.

‘He’s in Origin camp at the moment obviously, and I’m not going to worry him while he’s in there, I’ll get to him next week and I’m sure that’s okay.

‘But from the club’s perspective, he’s our captain, he’s our halfback and we need him, I won’t be letting him go anywhere.’ 

Hunt is currently on Origin duty, and Flanagan views the 33-year-old as an integral part of his rebuild. 

‘I met with him and spoke to him about our relationship and how I need the captain of the club to help me with recruitment and retention,’ Flanagan said.

‘Playing Origin, conversations that he has with potential players to come to the club are very useful.

‘Recruitment and retention, I’ll be doing that behind the scenes.’

More to follow.