Hunt accepts his demotion

Benched million-dollar man just wants to win

BEN Hunt says it’s hard not to view his move to St George Illawarra’s bench as a demotion, but he accepts it’s likely to continue after their breakthrough win on Sunday.

On $1 million a season, Hunt was dropped from the halves to bench utility for the game against Cronulla, which was won by the Dragons 30-16.

He came on after 20 minutes at dummy half – a position he has played at both State of Origin and Test level.

Hunt said experience had taught him not to sulk about such personal setbacks.

“I’d definitely like to be back in the starting side, but if that’s going to win us games like it did I don’t see why the coach has to make any changes,” he said.

“If we’re going to get the job done like that, that’s how it is and I’ll just go about my business.”

Following humiliating losses against the Warriors and Canterbury, Hunt was drawn into a meeting with besieged coach Paul McGregor last Wednesday and told he would be dropped to the bench.

“Obviously I haven’t been playing well ... I was hopeful it wasn’t going to happen but in the end I kind of expected it,” Hunt said.

“Once he told me I was pretty excited just to get on with it.

“Things like this have happened to me in the past and I’ve learned that there’s no point sitting around sooking about it.

“First thoughts were it’s a demotion or a setback or something, and it is a demotion in a way. I just wanted to win, really, and if he thought that was the best way for us to get a win I was excited to do it.”

McGregor was coy on whether Hunt would make a permanent switch to hooker, but any change in the team line-up would have a big impact on starting No.9 and captain Cam McInnes.

Putting Hunt at dummy half forced McInnes to move into lock – an unfamiliar role for him that he would need to spend time developing.

“He’s in the same boat of, if this is what’s best for team then he’s happy to do it,” Hunt said.

“He’s our heart and soul. He brings so much energy to everything, so he can’t come off the field.

“If I come on at No.9, he has to stay on, so he doesn’t seem to mind. He might mind, but he doesn’t let anyone know – he just gets his job done.”