Zac Lomax flames former coach Shane Flanagan as Ben Hunt exit exposes deep fractures
Updated . First published
Zac Lomax is not allowing anyone to get in the way of Ben Hunt's reputation, especially not Shane Flanagan.
Hunt's time at the Dragons came to an end last week after the club granted him an immediate release to the final year of his contract.
The veteran halfback's exit was not taken lightly by his former coach, who told 2GB's Wide World of Sports last week that the halfback had "always been a little bit unsettled".
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Hunt was also accused of leaking details of his exit interview to media.
Flanagan and Hunt had a testy relationship at times this season. NRL
"If anyone is going to go at Benny Hunt and his character, he is so far off," Lomax said.
"He is the ultimate professional and he goes about his business so well.
"He is probably going to be the second person to ever play 400 games. He just wants to win.
"He obviously doesn't feel at the moment that he is going to be able to do that at the Dragons. For him and his family to leave the club is a good decision for him.
"I back his decision. I've done the exact same thing, so we're both on the same page."
Zac Lomax and Ben Hunt of the St George Illawarra Dragons. Getty
After seven rollercoaster seasons with the Dragons, the 34-year-old will now finish his NRL career at a rival club.
Asked if his character was called into question by the club, Hunt said "maybe", but insisted he was completely invested during his time at the Red V.
"I thought I gave my best to the Dragons for a long time — I played some of my best footy there," he told 9News Sydney.
"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."
Watch the 2024 Pacific Championships on Nine and 9Now.
Ben Hunt reflects on his departure from the Dragons. 9News Sydney
Hunt's focus has now shifted to finding a club that can deliver him a premiership.
"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 said he was happy to stay in Sydney but one club further north kept being put forward as a landing spot — the Brisbane Broncos.
Hunt started his career with the Broncos, playing 187 games across nine seasons before joining the Dragons as their marquee signing for the 2018 season.
He went close to winning the 2015 premiership with the Broncos, beaten in extra time by Johnathan Thurston's Cowboys.
"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."
Broncos star Patrick Carrigan joked he had been given the task of luring Hunt back to Red Hill while the pair are in Kangaroos camp.
Hunt will suit up in the green and gold for Sunday's Pacific Cup final against Tonga.
With a wrist injury sidelining Cameron Murray, Hunt could take to the field in his absence.
