Dragons player Moses Mbye does not expect Ben Hunt to play for the club in Friday night’s clash against the Warriors, despite the fact that he was named in the No.7 jersey on Tuesday, as speculation mounts that the Origin star has played his last game in the Red V.
Meanwhile, rugby league icon and Maroons assistant coach Cameron Smith warned the Dragons not to keep Hunt against his will, urging them to move on ”and get someone who is committed to the cause”.
Mbye revealed he had spoken to his teammate and close friend soon after Hunt requested an immediate release from the club.
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Mbye told SEN 1170 Mornings that he expected the physicality of Origin to prevent Hunt from backing up two days later, but added that he still held hopes the classy playmaker would resolve his issues with St George Illawarra and return to the fold.
“I don’t know if he will be physically ready to go by Friday night,” Mbye said.
“He’s not the type of guy that is going to toss up NRL games… if he is physically and mentally okay to play, then he will play.”
Mbye said Hunt is in “good spirits” and is unfazed by St George Illawarra’s refusal to grant him a release, with his full focus on the job at hand for Queensland on Wednesday.
He added that while he was hoping to reunite on the field with his mate, the more important issue was for Hunt to feel happy and comfortable in whichever environment he continues his career.
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Mbye said the Dragons players shared many of the frustrations that had motivated Hunt’s desire to leave.
“I know he has been disappointed, as we all have been. We have obviously not performed as well as we should have over the last couple of years”, Mbye said.
“I think that’s the most important thing as a teammate, you put footy aside for a little bit, if he’s saying he’s unhappy and he’s not been able to perform at his best, you just wish him the best.”
Gallen’s warning to Hunt over exit
“I hope he can get to a resolution that best suits himself and his family first, then secondly, he finds himself at a place whether that be at the Dragons or another club, where he can be his best version of himself,” Mbye added.
“I don’t think him not coming out on the field on Friday [would be] because of the saga going on behind the scenes.”
While Mbye is holding out hope for a peaceful resolution at the Dragons, Queensland legend Cameron Smith challenged the club’s decision to hold Hunt to his contract.
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“I don’t know how much further (Hunt) can go being a part of that football club,” Smith said on SEN 1170 Mornings.
“I don’t know why you would want to keep someone there that really doesn’t have the commitment levels that you need to have to be at your very best to be at your club. I would rather that person just move on and get someone who is committed to the cause.”
Hunt has been named to start for the Maroons in Wednesday night’s State of Origin II.
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