Time for $6 million man to pay way for Dragons

THE time has come for former Broncos half Ben Hunt to deliver on his $6 million NRL deal with St George Illawarra.

The Dragons will kick off their new era tonight at Kogarah and Hunt will run out against his former club in the NRL season opener to begin his five-year contract.

Only the controversy surrounding the Broncos’ Matt Lodge has stopped all the attention this week from being on Hunt and his replacement in Brisbane, Kodi Nikorima.

Hunt’s deal kickstarted last year’s playmaking merry-goround and is the biggest in Dragons’ history.

However, the 27-year-old’s importance to the club can’t be understated given he will end a 121-game wait for a recognised halfback at the club.

Not since Ben Hornby retired at the end of 2012 have Paul McGregor and his predecessors had a traditional and experienced halfback in their No.7 jersey. Seven men have filled the jumper but have been a mixture of five-eighths and playmaking utilities.

“The halfback position was something we hadn’t had at the club for a long time so that was our main priority,” McGregor said. “You don’t like to lose players along the way like we have but I feel like our squad of 30 now is the best balance of the squad.”

Hunt set up 102 tries for the Broncos after taking over their No.7 jersey in 2014 and has guided them to the finals in every year since. His impact on the Dragons will be seen in not just his actions on the ball but the way he will be able to free up Gareth Widdop.