He almost snared the Dally M Medal in his customary position of halfback, but Ben Hunt is expected to spend time at hooker on Sunday in a desperate bid to spark St George Illawarra’s season.
Hunt spent time at dummy half during the side’s training session on Wednesday, a pointer to a change of role for Sunday’s Magic Round clash against Wests Tigers. Embattled coach Anthony Griffin had already wrung the changes for the Suncorp Stadium encounter, dropping star centre Zac Lomax and No.9 Jacob Liddle, as well as Toby Couchman and Jaiyden Hunt, after crashing to four straight defeats.
Hunt has slotted in capably at hooker for Queensland and Australia, often from the interchange bench. However, Sunday’s game will mark one of the few times in his Red V career that he has spent time at hooker by design rather than to cover for injury.
Moses Mbye was named at hooker and may well start there, but Hunt is expected to spend some time in the position. That would give Jayden Sullivan, called up from the NSW Cup, the chance to spend time in the halves alongside Talatau Amone. The youngsters regularly played together in the halves during their junior days.
“As a group, everyone is trusting ‘Hook’ [Griffin] with what he’s decided to go with,” Dragons three-quarter Mat Feagai said.
“No one is kicking stones, which is a good sign. Everyone is still working hard because all that matters is, as a team and as a club, that we start winning some games.”
Feagai’s brother and teammate Max, added: “I think the energy is [about] just keep moving forward.
“Hook has done what he has done and there’s no point dwelling on it or complaining about different things or any of that sort of stuff.
Ben Hunt is readying for a stint at hooker.Credit: Getty
“We just want to go out there and get the win. Everyone knows footy is good when you’re winning and it’s been a while since we won one. I think [a victory] would do a world of good for morale around the team.”
The Dragons are languishing in 15th spot on the ladder after registering just two wins and must beat the Tigers to have any chance of keeping in touch with the premiership pacesetters. The decision to axe Lomax, in particular, is a bold move given he is one of the club’s highest paid players.
Mikaele Ravalawa said he was looking forward to returning to a new-look side after overcoming a hamstring injury.
“Obviously it’s up to the coaches. It’s good to be back and getting to play footy again,” he said.
“Right now I’m feeling good, I’m feeling 100 per cent. It’s been a bit hard for me watching from the sideline. We need to stay positive and continue from there.”
