Dragons back in the Hunt
FORMER Broncos halfback Ben Hunt says he is back to his confident best and ready to lead the Dragons’ NRL premiership charge after overcoming “aggressive” criticism.
Hunt had the last laugh at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday as St George Illawarra ended Brisbane’s season with a 48-18 elimination final win.
It was the ex-Broncos No.7’s first venture back to Brisbane in Dragons colours after joining the Red V this season on a $6 million deal.
Hunt’s tenure at the Dragons started with a bang as St George Illawarra rocketed into premiership favouritism with six straight wins to start the season, earning Hunt the Queensland No.7 jersey.
But the Red V faithful turned on Hunt as the Dragons lost six of their last nine games of the season to limp into the finals in seventh.
Hunt sought out the help of a psychologist to deal with the expectation of his $1 million a season contract and the savage criticism that came with St George Illawarra’s slide.
The Maroons utility put on an impressive performance to end Brisbane’s season and said he was ready to lead the Dragons after five-eighth Gareth Widdop (shoulder) was ruled out for the rest of the finals.
“I’m feeling very confident. We showed a lot of people we’ve got a quality team,” Hunt said,
The Dragons will now face South Sydney at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.