NRL Player Movements & Rumours

[Foordy]

It's being reported that Flanagan believes that the release request was from a couple of weeks ago (prior to Flanagan getting the job) ... IMO, it's believable that Weidler (and the rest of the media) would hold back this information for greater sensationalist effect.

Flanagan said:

“He’ll be captain and our halfback and we’ll move forward,” Flanagan said.

“He’s got a contract. I haven’t bothered him because he’s in Origin camp but we’ll chat after the game.”

 

[Battler]

It comes out Hunt has asked for a release and all of a sudden the Merge supporters are blowing up deluxe saying he's been a waste of money, a "mid" player and a turncoat... lol He's been the only player worth feeding in that squad for the better part of 3 seasons.

Hell hath no fury like a League fan scorned.

He’s a mercenary who’s only at their club because they offered him insane overs. It would be like rorters fans melting down at SBW going back to union or titans fans raging if Fifi left for better money.

 

[mrslong]

His Mrs always posting on insta how tough she’s doing it “without any family”
I wouldn’t be surprised if she wants to come closer to home

 

[Wolfie]

Like the Luke Brooks situation, it's in the Dragons and Ben Hunt's interest to move forward. Credit to Ben Hunt, he did turn his career around in 2021 but it didn't matter to the Dragons. They need to get their roster in order and having Ben Hunt's pay packet to work with could afford them a quality fullback.

If they can find an experienced halfback who can play field position and allow Sullivan to find his way they'll be trending in the right direction.

I'd say the Dolphins or the Bulldogs would be the best destination for Hunt.

I think its a bit of a weird one for the Dolphins. I think he'd suit them well, but then does it stifle the development of Katoa because he looks way better at 7 than he does at 6. He would definatly be an improvement on Milf, O'Sullivan and Kodi if they can make it work.

 

[Allo]

His Mrs always posting on insta how tough she’s doing it “without any family”
I wouldn’t be surprised if she wants to come closer to home

poor dear

 

[Fozz]

I doubt hunt wants to go to Redcliffe to reunite with Milford… that’s definitely not progression

Given how far down the depth chart Milford is, the only time they'd be on the field together would be if Milf was running the drinks.

 

[Wolfie]

He’s a mercenary who’s only at their club because they offered him insane overs. It would be like rorters fans melting down at SBW going back to union or titans fans raging if Fifi left for better money.

I'm not sure i'd call him a mercenary. He just got an offer he couldnt really turn down.

 

[Allo]

I'm not sure i'd call him a mercenary. He just got an offer he couldnt really turn down.

You mean his wife wouldn’t let him I mean he had to leave Brisbane

 

[Big Pete]

I think its a bit of a weird one for the Dolphins. I think he'd suit them well, but then does it stifle the development of Katoa because he looks way better at 7 than he does at 6. He would definatly be an improvement on Milf, O'Sullivan and Kodi if they can make it work.

I don't see how Katoa role changes. Ideally, he deputises behind O'Sullivan and Hunt is the better version. Admittedly, I don't think the Dolphins will go that route and I was looking at it more from Hunt's perspective. If he goes Dolphins, he gets to return to Queensland, strengthen his brand, the Battle of Brisbane goes up another notch and he's on every membership and billboard around the city.

 

[Mick_Hancock]

Danny Weidler “broke the news about Hunt on Twitter”
Translation = Rorters signing him for 250K per season. Reason? You know…. “Culture”.

 

[Wolfie]

I don't see how Katoa role changes. Ideally, he deputises behind O'Sullivan and Hunt is the better version. Admittedly, I don't think the Dolphins will go that route and I was looking at it more from Hunt's perspective. If he goes Dolphins, he gets to return to Queensland, strengthen his brand, the Battle of Brisbane goes up another notch and he's on every membership and billboard around the city.

I'm not sure how much now he would be deputising for O'Sullivan now after his injury. He's stepped up in the 7 shirt and its always clearly been his best position.

Agree though for Hunt it would be the best move.

 

[Kimlo]

His Mrs always posting on insta how tough she’s doing it “without any family”
I wouldn’t be surprised if she wants to come closer to home

If only she could move and be with her husband, what a sook.

 

[Morkel]

Gross, just realised what an NRL jerk-fest it would be if Hunt went to the Dolphins and won a comp.

Hunt, Bennett, all the Ex-Broncos. "They all just needed a clean slate to work from", even though it's been the NRL's bullshit that has been been the biggest contributor to our recent woes.

 

[Organix]

He’s a mercenary who’s only at their club because they offered him insane overs. It would be like rorters fans melting down at SBW going back to union or titans fans raging if Fifi left for better money.

There's mercenaries and then there's being made an offer you're stupid to refuse. I don't think Hunt is a mercenary. He was shook after the GF, and Griffin being at Merge was a good option.

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

It comes out Hunt has asked for a release and all of a sudden the Merge supporters are blowing up deluxe saying he's been a waste of money, a "mid" player and a turncoat... lol He's been the only player worth feeding in that squad for the better part of 3 seasons.

Hell hath no fury like a League fan scorned.

Even though I agree it's a bit rich dragons fans are saying that given the gloating and talk about him by dragons fans for the last 2 years, I also think there is ALOT of recency bias with his contract.
He's been great on and off for about the last 2 years, the rest he has dramitically fluctuated between good, medium and he did have about a year total of quite poor. If he leaves now, the contract has not been paid back despite his best efforts.
I get hes in a poor team and its not just him, but if you're paid that much in a key position you are expected to atleast occasionally drag your team to a strong year... they've finished 7th, 15th, 12th, 11th and 10th... he was on the bigg3st contract in the nrl for about 3 years, and it's still among the top 3 or 4. It was way out in front when he 1st signed it. Not his fault, but still shows it has not been a great buy...

 

[Big Pete]

I'm not sure how much now he would be deputising for O'Sullivan now after his injury. He's stepped up in the 7 shirt and its always clearly been his best position.

Agree though for Hunt it would be the best move.

Considering he's often playing second fiddle to Milford and Nikorima, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't play second fiddle to SOS. It takes halves awhile before they're ready to call the shots and it wouldn't hurt Katoa to grow into that role.

Especially since there's been times this year where he has been over-exposed.

 

[Mick_Hancock]

There's mercenaries and then there's being made an offer you're stupid to refuse. I don't think Hunt is a mercenary. He was shook after the GF, and Griffin being at Merge was a good option.

Same as Flegs or Fifita. You get a stupid offer, that no one else would consider paying… YOU GO! I don’t blame them either.
I love the Broncos, but if the Tigers offered me 500K more per season?! Well then….

 

[broncos4life]

I mean I don’t like the Dragons but this is shit from Ben Hunt. You signed a contract, end of story. You want the big money so you sign the big contract you don’t get to crack the shits half way through. If a Bronco was doing this I would be livid. You can’t be opposed to want Payne Haas did but be cool with this.