Shane Flanagan opens up on Ben Hunt's 'sledge' on Kyle Flanagan amid Clint Gutherson development
Flanagan says Hunt's comments about his son left him frustrated.
Shane Flanagan has labelled Ben Hunt's dig at his halves partner Kyle Flanagan "a little bit frustrating" as the halfback's contract saga drags on. Earlier this month, after Clint Gutherson was given permission to leave the Eels, Hunt predicted the Parramatta fullback would partner him in the halves in the Red V next season.
However, if Hunt remains at the club next year, this would mean Flanagan would drop out. And speaking to SMH, Flanagan admitted the remark angered him, with his son doing a good job partnering Hunt in the halves for the majority of the 2024 NRL season.
When asked if he believed the comment was a direct sledge at his son, Flanagan said: "I’m not quite sure. Maybe Kyle moves to halfback and he was insinuating that he wouldn’t be here... I’m not going to speculate on if he was having a shot at someone or whether he was speculating that he wouldn’t be here. It was a strange one and a little bit frustrating, to be honest."
Hunt has been given permission to talk to other teams after his negotiations with the Dragons broke down, leaving the 34-year-old in limbo for a contract after next season. Hunt's relationship with coach Flanagan and the club soured at the back end of the season. Flanagan and Hunt were seen in a heated conversation after a defeat in round 26 against the Eels and following a post-season review the Dragons half said he was made to feel like the reason why the Red V fell out of a finals spot.
The captain will now likely hit the open market, with Hunt making no secret of his desire to finish his career in Queensland. Addressing his NRL future while speaking with reporters during Kangaroos camp, Hunt said he was keen to speak with the Dragons about extending his contract beyond 2025, but noted they do not appear "overly keen" to keep him.
However, Flanagan said a deal for Hunt for 2026 is not off the table. "I said to Ben at some point we’ll talk about ’26. As the season went on there were other priorities and Ben got put on the back burner," Flanagan told SMH.
"I can understand his frustration. I understand we’ve probably got maybe 10 or 15 players that are off contract for ’26. All players want to secure their future and Ben’s no different. But the club’s got a position where you’ve got to look to the future. I’m hoping Ben has a cracking season next year and we’re looking at extending him. That would be the perfect scenario, wouldn’t it? Whether that’s going to happen or not, I don’t know."
Shane Flanagan keen to get Clint Gutherson deal over the line
Flanagan also revealed the club had held talks with Gutherson, who will reportedly make a decision on his future in the coming days. The Dragons coach said he is a priority for the club, with Flanagan keen to deploy him at fullback.
But even if Gutherson is to join the club Flanagan said Tyrell Sloan would still be a "big part" of their plans and would likely be moved to play on the wing. "I think it’d be fantastic for Tyrell’s development to have someone like Gutho around," he said.
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"If it was to happen, Tyrell’s still got a big part. I think it’d be fantastic for Tyrell’s development to have someone like Gutho around. Tyrell could play on the wing. So if I need to have that conversation with Tyrell I will, but I haven’t as yet because it’s a little bit pie-in-the-sky stuff at the moment."
Flanagan also said the club could be interested in Josh Addo-Carr with his Bulldogs future in serious doubt. But the Dragons coach said the club's main priority is to get the Gutherson deal over the line. "Our first priority is waiting to see what eventuates with the Clint Gutherson situation first," he said. "Maybe down the track, we might possibly look at the Fox. He’s a quality player, he’s had a hiccup and we’ll address it. But it’s not on the immediate radar."
