Ben Hunt, an Australian rugby league player who plays as a halfback, left St. George Illawarra Dragons due to dissatisfaction with the club’s direction and a desire to be closer to his family in Queensland. His frustration grew after the club sacked Anthony Griffin in 2023, as Hunt was a strong supporter of Griffin.
On 14 June 2023, Shane Flanagan signed a three-year contract to become the head coach of St. George Illawarra, starting in 2024. In round 1 of the 2024 NRL season, Flanagan’s tenure got off to a great start as the Dragons pulled off an upset 28-4 victory over the Gold Coast. In his first year in charge, he led the club to an 11th-place finish, just two points outside the finals. St. George had a chance to qualify for the finals but fell short after losing their last two matches of the season.
Hunt was not happy with Flanagan in particular, as he felt that Flanagan’s tactics were not protecting him on the field. This added to his frustrations and ultimately led to his decision to leave the club.
At St. George Illawarra Dragons, Hunt was not only the fans’ favorite but also the captain—a respected leader on and off the field. He risked everything to leave, giving up his status, leadership, and fan support to chase a new chapter.
Now, he plays for the Brisbane Broncos, returning to the club where he began his NRL career. However, he plays alongside Adam Reynolds, and this has affected his performances, as he struggles to play at his best due to Reynolds’ presence. This situation has caused problems in the dressing room, and reports suggest that Hunt is already regretting his decision to leave St. George Illawarra Dragons.
Losing all that, risking everything to leave was it worth it?