He might be the only North Queensland player happy to see St George Illawarra actually win on Saturday night.
Premiership-winning hooker Jake Granville happens to be the brother-in-law of Dragons skipper Ben Hunt, who celebrates his 300th game in Townsville on Saturday night.
For all the talk surrounding the future of Dragons coach Anthony Griffin – and all the questions Hunt has fielded on the subject – Granville was happy to discuss what will be a special family affair.
The 34-year-old grew up with Hunt and his older sister, Zoe, attended the same school in Yeppoon, often celebrated Christmas together, and famously played against each other in the 2015 grand final.
“It’s pretty special to be a part of this game, and it’s no surprise he’s made it this far given how competitive and naturally gifted he is,” Granville told this masthead.
“It will be awkward going up against him. I’ll be kicking cans if we lose. Nobody likes losing. But obviously I’d be stoked for Benny. He deserves everything he gets. He works hard, he competes and is a bloody strong bugger. And he also gets to play his 300th in Queensland, which is good.”
Jake Granville will play against his brother-in-law Ben Hunt who celebrates 300 games on Saturday evening.Credit: Instagram
Hunt has been forced to defend Griffin whose tenure could be over by the time the Dragons return to Sydney.
Granville has observed Hunt’s unwavering public support for Griffin, and said: “That’s the bloke Benny is – he sticks up for his mates, and he’s always willing to have a crack for his team.”
Hunt becomes the 47th player to reach 300 games with only five in the esteemed club – Geoff Gerrard, Nathan Hindmarsh, Josh Morris, Andrew McCullough, a good friend of Hunt’s, and John Morris – to have never won a grand final.
At 33, Hunt has two more seasons at the Dragons beyond this year, and has regularly spoken about driving the Dragons all the way to glory.
Ben Hunt and the special milestone T-shirts the St George Illawarra Dragons are selling.Credit: St George Illawarra Dragons
Hunt could return home to Queensland and help former coach Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins in the next couple of years – and replace the man who forced him out of Brisbane all those years ago, Anthony Milford.
“Benny scoring that try last year in Origin was pretty special to watch, and while I’m sure he wants to win a comp, even if he doesn’t, he’s still left a great legacy, and has a few more years left to go yet,” Granville said.
“To play 300 games, that’s awesome. And to reach 300, especially in his position, you get targeted in defence, you’re always putting your body on the line in attack … I’m so happy for Benny he gets to do this. I’m so happy for him.”
The Dragons have dropped five games in a row, but could have easily won all five, while the Cowboys bounced back into form against the Sydney Roosters at Magic Round.
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