'That says something': Hunt's Flanagan reveal as Red V rift widens ...

Ben Hunt has revealed the rift between him and Shane Flanagan has widened, failing to have any contact with the Dragons coach during or after his exit from the club.

The 34-year-old’s exit from the Red V club was confirmed on October 30, ending a contract saga that begun with a request for an immediate release in 2023.

Then, following the 2024 season, Hunt’s situation soured after he was informed in a post-season review his performances weren’t up to standard and the club weren’t willing to hand him an extension at that time.

Watch every game of the 2024 Pacific Championships with expert analysis LIVE with no ad-breaks during play, on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

The veteran playmaker then admitted he didn’t want to return to pre-season training before he was granted a release, and Flanagan wasn’t the man who told him his time was up.

“My final conversations with the club were with (CEO) Ryan Webb and (general manager of football) Ben Haran,” Hunt said to the SMH.

“I haven’t heard from Shane and I guess that says something about where things are at, but I didn’t have a drama.

“It got to the point where something had to happen, and it’s true. I didn’t want to go back and train with the club in the pre-season.

“I knew my time was done. I feel relieved now that it’s over. I certainly feel like I put in for the club and contributed as much as I could.

“I was very invested and I think I played my best footy for the Dragons, and I don’t agree with the idea that I was never invested in my time at the Dragons.

“I gave my all for the club and I hope that people can see that. It’s not how I wanted things to end, but that’s how it happened and now I’ve got the opportunity to further my career in coming weeks.”

Speaking from Kangaroos camp, Hunt was also asked by reporters if his character was questioned by the club during his exit.

He replied by saying “maybe” before explaining he wants to win a competition with his next club.

“I thought I gave my best to the Dragons for a long time — I played some of my best footy there,” Hunt said.

“I competed hard, I really helped try to build the club and I think I can hold my head up with what I did there.”

Hunt admitted that he felt a sense of relief that his Dragons contract saga is over and he can finish his career at another club.

“It dragged out a bit so it’s good that it’s over now,” he told 9News Sydney.

“A bit of weight is off the shoulders and we can move on.”

MORE NRL NEWS

‘TRUTH WILL COME OUT’: Addo Carr’s cryptic comment amid sacking

ENG v SAMOA: Herbie the ‘difference’ as England complete Samoa sweep

‘WISH I WAS APART OF IT’: Moving pre-game scenes before Tonga-NZ epic

“I want to enjoy my footy, and I’ll try and go somewhere you can win a competition,” he said.

“It’s pretty obvious I’m getting to the back end of my career and I’ve only got a few years left so I’d really like that opportunity to go to a team that I think can win one.”

Hunt was apart of a losing Broncos side in 2015, going down in the grand final to Johnathan Thurston and the Cowboys in extra time.

A return to Brisbane could be on the cards for Hunt, with the future of five-eighth Ezra Mam up in the air following his car accident.

The young gun is likely to be unavailable to start the 2024 season, with a police inquiry currently underway surrounding the circumstances of the crash.

“Brisbane will always have a soft spot for me. I’ve been involved since I was 12 (years old), so they’ve put a lot of work into me,” he said.

“If I had the opportunity to finish there, it would be pretty special.”