Dear Ben Hunt,
As a passionate supporter of the St George Illawarra Dragons, I feel compelled to reach out to you during this tumultuous time. Recently, reports have surfaced suggesting that you are hesitant to return for pre-season training next month. This news follows the club’s decision to withdraw a contract extension offer that would have seen you remain with the Dragons until 2026. While I can’t say I was entirely surprised by this turn of events, I believe it’s important to reflect on your journey with the team.
At 35 years old and with eight years under your belt at the Dragons, your career here has been a rollercoaster ride. Over the course of 147 games, you have only made one finals appearance. Yes, the team has faced its fair share of challenges, including a struggling roster and frequent coaching changes. Yet, as the halfback and captain, much of the responsibility lies with you. While other players like Luke Brooks at the Wests Tigers faced their own difficulties, they often bore the brunt of scrutiny in ways that you haven’t.
Your only finals appearance came in your debut season with the Dragons back in 2018, which adds to the disappointment many fans feel. The 2024 season ended in a disheartening manner, particularly after a stunning victory against the Storm—a game that seemed to signal a turning point. Yet, in the following weeks, your performances did not match the promise you showed that night. As the leader and highest-paid player, the expectation was that you would guide your team through tough times, but the reality was a stark contrast.
This past season encapsulated the highs and lows of your career. There were moments of brilliance, but they were often overshadowed by inconsistent performances. This inconsistency is crucial, especially given the past two years at the club, where your desire to remain connected to former coach Anthony Griffin clouded the team’s direction. Following his dismissal, your request for a release raised eyebrows, especially considering the team’s struggles under his leadership. Ending the 2023 season in last place was a bitter pill for all fans, and although the arrival of Shane Flanagan offered hope, your form did not reflect that optimism.
Rumors have circulated since the conclusion of this season, particularly regarding a perceived leak about your end-of-season review—a review that did not shine favorably on your contributions. Regardless of where that information came from, your repeated discussions about your future have only added to the media frenzy surrounding the club, which desperately needs to focus on breaking a six-year finals drought. As the captain, your words set the tone, and it’s disheartening to see such a lack of discretion when the younger players are looking to you for guidance.
As a lifelong supporter, I’m exhausted by the ongoing drama surrounding your contract situation. However, I want to acknowledge your contributions to the Dragons. You have often been the heartbeat of the team, the player who single-handedly kept us competitive. But now, as we look toward 2025, I urge you to focus on making this final year a celebration rather than a source of conflict. Your legacy with the club should end on a high note, inspiring the younger players around you rather than leaving them with a fractured example.
So, Ben, I hope you can approach this next year with a renewed sense of purpose. Don’t let off-field issues overshadow your final season with the Dragons. It’s a chance to leave a lasting impression and to give fans like me something to remember fondly. The young talents in the club need a leader they can respect and learn from—please be that leader for them.
Yours in rugby league,
Scott Pryde