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

Ben Hunt will remain at St George Illawarra for the remainder of his NRL contract after the club rejected his request to leave during formal talks between the two sides.

In the wake of the Dragons’ coaching turmoil, with Shane Flanagan replacing fired Anthony Griffiin for the 2024 season, Hunt sought a return to Queensland, likely with the Brisbane Broncos.

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

There they confirmed that 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 Monday.

It comes after former Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke said the Dragons should reject 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 will stay until my contract expires,” he said on Big Sports Breakfast on Monday.

“When my contract expires, I can do what I want. But I also said in the same breath that a club can’t ask that of a player if the club isn’t going to do the same in return.

“If he goes to Brisbane and stays there, fair enough. I don’t think it’s right that he goes to a club for the rest of the season and then to his final destination. I do not like that.’

Clarke also dismissed suggestions that releasing Hunt now would free 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 a chance for Shane Flanagan if he now has to stay with Manly for the rest of the season? Shane Flanagan isn’t with the Dragons,’ he said.

MORE TO FOLLOW