Ben’s hunt for change works
RUGBY LEAGUE: As a student of famed rugby league nursery St Brendan’s Yeppoon, Ben Hunt more than likely studied Sherlock Holmes, the most celebrated work of Scottish author Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle.
But it is unlikely the now Dragons halfback realises Sir Arthur is credited with coining the proverb “a change is as good as a holiday”.
Although Hunt is by no means on holiday, he has benefited enormously from his change of club.
When he announced early last year that he was quitting the Broncos – a club he linked with as a 12-year-old – to join the mighty Red V on a reported $6 million for five years, the NRL community was stunned.
They weren’t just stunned at the dollars, but surprised such a loyal subject would leave.
Sure, it was a massive payday and gave Ben and his young family the security craved by all professional sporting people with limited careers. But the attraction was clearly more than just the money.
First, there was the lingering hangover from the 2015 grand final when Hunt dropped the kick-off that ultimately led to the winning extra-time field goal by Johnathan Thurston. And possibly the fact that 70 of his 189 NRL appearances for the Broncos were from the bench made him feel a tad under-appreciated.
But having played at the one club for a decade, maybe Hunt felt stale. And maybe those words of Sir Arthur were starting to ring true, and he did indeed need a change.
Whatever the reason, the change has been as good as a holiday.
It’s still early days but in three rounds for the unbeaten Dragons, Hunt has been a revelation. Though he turned in some outstanding performances in his days at the Broncos, it’s arguable that he has never looked more in control of his team or more individually potent.
A giant load has seemingly been lifted from his shoulders – he appears more confident in his ability to lead and he looks to be enjoying his footy. And his new teammates are appreciating him like – possibly – he never was at the Broncos.
Hunt was a key player at the Broncos. He won the coveted Paul Morgan Medal as player of the year in 2014. But at times he was viewed as dispensable, as was the case just last season when he was dropped back to the Queensland Cup.
Season 2018 is but a pup, but Ben Hunt is the name on the lips of many. He has been outstanding in his three starts to date and last weekend dished out a lesson to the much-hyped Queensland Origin candidate, Ash Taylor.
Tomorrow he takes on Blues incumbent Mitchell Pearce in what will be an Origin trial of sorts.
Hunt remains behind incumbents Cameron Munster and Michael Morgan for a Maroons halves’ berth, but he is certainly applying the blowtorch.
And his outstanding form won’t allow that duo to take a holiday anytime soon.