NRL legend Paul Gallen slams Dragons skipper Ben Hunt’s shock request to leave his embattled club

Controversial former NSW Origin captain Paul Gallen has weighed into the Ben Hunt ‘request to leave’ his NRL club side St George Illawarra.

Gallen, who has played against Hunt and who played under new Dragons coach Shane Flanagan, is strongly opposed to the champion half leaving.

‘It’s surprised me like everyone else,’ Gal told Nine’s NRL Sunday Footy Show, with the Dragons denying Hunts request.

‘Ben Hunt is probably basing all his decisions at the moment on what’s happened at the club in the past.

‘He said he’s fed up with what’s happened at the club in years gone by, and that they haven’t gone well, but he’s been paid a hell of a lot of money to be at that club and has never taken them to a semi-final. 

‘Now that’s not his fault, it’s a club game, a team sport, but he also hasn’t attracted a lot of talent there either.’

Dragons skipper Ben Hunt wants to leave the club – though the club have denied the request

Former Origin skipper Paul Gallen, (pictured) who played under Dragon’s incoming coach Shane Flanagan, believes Ben Hunt should give the coach a chance and stay

‘He’s got to start thinking about what’s going to happen in the future.

‘He’s got to consider that and at least meet with Shane Flanagan and talk to Shane Flanagan about what’s going to happen and what he sees with the future at the club.

‘I think to be making a decision (based) on what’s happened in the past now before Shane Flanagan has even been there is a bit rushed and a bit hasty, and if I was the Dragons I wouldn’t be letting him go.’

To be fair, Hunt has been carrying the hapless Dragons for the past three years and the weight of that work must be bearing down on him.

Which is why Gal is suggesting he take a deep breath and just give Flanagan time.

Gallen played under Flanagan’s rule when he captained the Cronulla Sharks to Grand Final glory in 2016.

‘Shane Flanagan is known for being able to put a roster together. He took a team that won the wooden spoon to winning the premiership two years later,’ reasoned Gallen.

It is understood that Hunt wants to move to Queensland to be with his extended family.

Hunt is disgruntled with the way things have been done at his club St George Illawarra and wants out 

Following that discovery, the rumour-mill went into overdrive in support of a Hunt move to the Titans.

But many other clubs are keen for his services, Canterbury among them.

Phil Gould who runs the football operations at the Bulldogs has confirmed he has spoken with the Dragons star but the word is Canterbury will not win him as his heart lies in Queensland.

All of the speculation could well be laid to rest pretty soon after this Wednesday’s Origin game where Hunt will play, because incoming St George Illawarra coach Flanagan is desperate to keep the star playmaker at the club and has said that Hunt won’t be allowed to leave.

Flanagan had already assured Hunt that he wouldn’t seek to play him at hooker, the position he plays for Queensland and Australia.

Hunt had indicated in previous interviews that he is not keen to play number nine in club land.