Dragons boss' revelation about Tyran Wishart as Clint Gutherson edges closer to NRL switch

Gutherson and Wishart have been identified as potential Hunt replacements.

Ben Hunt is searching for a new club after the Dragons agreed to release him from the final year of his $950,000 contract on Wednesday. The situation had become untenable after Hunt and coach Shane Flanagan fell out at the end of the 2024 season, although the halfback had been itching for a release for 18 months.

In the immediate aftermath of the news of Hunt's release, speculation was rife about who could replace the veteran halfback in the Red V next season. Hunt had already been given permission to speak to rival clubs early and many had already come to terms with the Maroons star having played his final game for the club. But the Dragons CEO revealed despite letting the 34-year-old go the club didn't have a replacement as yet lined up, however, have identified Clint Gutherson and Tyran Wishart as targets.

Pictured L-R: Ben Hunt, Tyran Wishart, Clint Gutherson
The Dragons have identified Tyran Wishart and Clint Gutherson as potential Ben Hunt replacements. Image: Getty

"I’d say just in the last few days, we sat there and thought, we could see there was a few comments publicly made (that) Ben put out there and that Shane put out there, I guess we could see from my point of view and a couple of others (thought) we need to bring this to a head now because it’s not going to work," Dragons CEO Ryan Webb told SEN 1170 The Run Home on Wednesday afternoon.

PENRITH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 15: Tyran Wishart of the Storm scores a try during the round 24 NRL match between Penrith Panthers and Melbourne Storm at BlueBet Stadium, on August 15, 2024, in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Tyran Wishart is a top target of the Red V. Image: Getty

“You could see things were going to ultimately affect the other players and people around the club, it sort of builds up slowly, I guess it came to a head a few days ago and then you sit down and go, ‘Ok guys what are one or two ways we can bring this to a close’, and that’s how we came to (the decision) that we did.

"It literally only happened this morning so we haven’t enquired (about players for 2025). There are a lot of players that we’ve talked to around 26’ already so those discussions are ongoing. He (Wishart) is a great footballer and the romantic part of it too, bringing a Gerringong junior home. Wishart’s name has been brought up a lot but for 2025 most of these guys are signed. There are discussions and plenty of talks have been had about the future beyond that but I’d be lying if I said that there was one lined ready to jump in straight to 25’ at this stage.”

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Meanwhile, Gutherson is set to leave Parramatta, with The Daily Telegraph reporting the club has decided to release him from the final year of his contract. Gutherson's future was discussed at a board meeting on Wednesday night and the official announcement of his release is expected to happen in the coming days.

It has been reported that he is set to agree a three-year deal to join the Dragons from next season. The Dragons have made it clear they want Gutherson as early as next season and St George Illawarra are understood to have wasted little time turning their attention to the 30-year-old following the news of Hunt’s early exit.

with AAP