Ben Hunt is willing to make his looming move to dummy half permanent if switching roles to accommodate Jayden Sullivan finally fires a spluttering Red V attack.
St George Illawarra are on a four-game losing streak with their season, and seemingly Anthony Griffin’s career, circling the drain before Sunday’s clash against Wests Tigers. It has prompted a host of changes by the under-siege coach, headlined by Zac Lomax’s axing and plans to play Sullivan at halfback at some point in the crunch contest.
Hunt has long made clear he prefers playing at the scrum base and went close to claiming last year’s Dally M Medal at No.7.
The Queensland and Australia Test star said the potential in-game shift to accommodate Sullivan had been raised with Griffin in recent weeks.
And while a longer-term move hasn’t been discussed, particularly with Griffin considered unlikely to be in charge beyond 2023, Hunt said he’d be willing to play in the forwards for good if it gets the Dragons back on track.
“If it comes at the price of winning games, I’m pretty happy to play anything,” Hunt said.
Ben Hunt has carried a heavy load for the Dragons in recent years.Credit: Getty
“We all play the game because we want to win. If we’re winning and our best brand of footy is me at nine, then I’ll do it.
“[Griffin] knows I don’t like playing there. He could’ve been a bit nervous about putting it to me.
“I’ve always wanted to play halfback but I’m happy to do what’s best for the team. If [the positional shift] does work, I’ll be stuck there. I thought about it a couple of times, that it could be an option, but I never presented it to him. Deep down I thought I could help the team but my heart has been at halfback.”
Hunt’s repeated endorsement of Griffin has raised questions about seeing out his Dragons deal, signed late last year and stretching until the end of 2025.
While he has previously said a coaching change could lead him to reconsider his future, on Saturday Hunt said he was “committed to the Dragons” and the possibility of Griffin leaving had been part of his contract talks.
Sullivan will start on the bench against the Tigers with Hunt at halfback and Moses Mbye at hooker. If the Dragons fire early, there is every chance Hunt won’t move at all.
But Sullivan’s NRL recall is also a nod to the youngster’s talent and billing as the club’s long-term No.7. The 21-year-old initially requested a release last year, given his playmaking pathway was blocked by Hunt.
Sullivan has impressed in NSW Cup in recent weeks after being dropped for childhood mate Talatau Amone, with Hunt lauding Sullivan’s development since last year.
“I’ve seen him mature a lot,” Hunt said. “He’s a real excitement player, ‘Sully’. He can do everything you want with the ball but he’s probably been a bit erratic in the past.
“Whereas I think I’ve seen him mature and learn to calm down and just sort of sit back and read the game a bit better, rather than chancing his arm when he didn’t need to. I think that’s probably the biggest thing I’ve seen in Sully, just maturity.”
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