St George Illawarra players insist incoming coach Shane Flanagan has their support despite captain Ben Hunt seeking an immediate release amid the off-field upheaval.
The Dragons unveiled Flanagan as their next full-time coach last Wednesday, with the premiership-winning former Cronulla mentor to join the club at the end of the current season.
The appointment ended weeks of speculation as to whom Saints would choose to replace Anthony Griffin, but triggered a release request from halfback Hunt, who was famously close with the ousted coach.
The Dragons' best player by some distance, Hunt signed on until the end of 2025 in October and the 15th-placed club formally denied his release request on Sunday.
Hunt and Flanagan are set to meet to discuss his playing future once the 33-year-old finishes his State of Origin duties on Wednesday night.
As it stands, Hunt is expected to line up against the Warriors in Wollongong on Friday, two days after lining up for Queensland.
"It was a bit of a shock for everyone," Dragons forward Jack de Belin said of Hunt's request.
"Right now he's not actually here (at training) so it hasn't really been discussed in all honesty.
"But I suppose it is one of those things that once Origin's over and we're looking towards the game, it is going to be brought to our attention."
Hunt's push for an exit has done nothing to discourage Dragons teammates from Flanagan, who won 55 per cent of his 185 games in charge of the Sharks.
Flanagan is currently on the coaching staff at Manly and previously worked at the Dragons, first as an assistant coach in 2020 and then in list management last season.
"It's a great appointment for the club," prop Blake Lawrie said.
"I'm really excited to buy into whatever direction Flanno wants to bring. But at the moment, that's next year.
"Obviously it does excite me going forward. But my full focus is right here right now."
A month elapsed between the six-game losing streak that cost Griffin his job and the announcement that Flanagan would take over from interim boss Ryan Carr next year.
In that time, the Dragons made an offer to favourite son Jason Ryles, who knocked them back to join Melbourne as Craig Bellamy's right-hand man, and were also linked with top-rated assistants Dean Young and Ben Hornby.
De Belin was pleased the playing group finally had clarity as to the situation.
"That was maybe the players' main concern, just not knowing what the go was," he said.
"At least everyone's on board now and we know which direction the club is going in and Flanno has been appointed."
