Bulldogs withdraw from race to snare Ben Hunt's signature as Shane Flanagan spills on strained relationship with ex-Dragons skipper
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Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has spilled on his rocky relationship with former club captain Ben Hunt, claiming the pair "never had an argument".
Hunt's time at the Dragons came to an end last month after the club granted him an immediate release from his contract despite having a year left to run on it.
A week after he expressed an interest in joining the Bulldogs, The Sydney Morning Herald reports the club has decided not to offer Hunt a deal.
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Hunt's relationship with Flanagan deteriorated to the point that he had no intention of returning to the club in the off-season.
The veteran halfback's exit is said to have not been taken lightly by the club.
With his long-running saga with the Dragons now over, Hunt's focus has shifted to finding a new club, with a move back to Queensland firmly on the cards.
Hunt previously said he would be happy to stay in Sydney but one club from further north is reportedly in the box seat to land his services — the Brisbane Broncos.
Ben Hunt (left) and Shane Flanagan talk to media. Getty
The Bulldogs' withdrawal from the race to sign Hunt leaves the Broncos needing only to edge out the Dolphins.
In a teaser video for the latest episode of The Bye Round with James Graham podcast, released on Sunday, Flanagan said there was no bad blood between him and Hunt.
"I've never had an argument with Ben Hunt," he said.
Shane Flanagan, head coach of the Dragons, looks on. Getty
"We've always got along fine, but in the end, I'm comfortable with [his departure] because I just feel that Ben wanted it and we're comfortable with it now.
"If he had come back this year, it would have been tricky to navigate all that ... [because] we weren't going to re-sign him for '26. It would have been in the media for the whole 12 months.
"So I just think, you know, in the end, Ben's happy, we're happy.
"When I see Ben Hunt, I'd shake his hand and get on with it."
Flanagan's comments could come as a surprise to Dragons fans after a string of tense moments since the former Sharks mentor arrived at the club at the start of the year.
Ben Hunt during a Kangaroos training session in October. Getty
In September, Hunt was reportedly dealt some harsh truths in his end-of-season review.
According to the Herald, the 34-year-old was called out for his performances in regards to his defence, kicking and leadership when the finals were on the line.
In an interview with the Herald, Flanagan also alluded to Hunt leaking details of his exit interview to media.
The Broncos' recruitment manager, Simon Scanlan, who signed Hunt as a youth, travelled to Sydney to meet with the Maroons and Kangaroos representative on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Dragons look set to land Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias as a potential No.7 replacement.
