Might be a controversial one but Ben Hunt to the Dragons could be one of the worst high profile signings in modern times. Given 1.1 million a year over 5 years despite being a solid player with occasional glimpses of brilliance.
2018 the Dragons make the finals and go close to a preliminary final against the Roosters. Widdop goes down and Hunt has his chance to steer the Dragons to the prelim and can't get it done against a Souths team that was pretty horrible on the night. If you all recall Hunt cost his team the game also when he ran from I believe halfway giving Souffs the ball on their own 40 which then saw them march down field and kick the winning field goal...
2019 the Dragons finish second last when Widdop goes down leaving Hunt to steer the team. Dragons are woeful losing plenty of close encounters and getting blown out of the water by only slightly above average teams. Has a few good games against average or poor sides but generally is average or bad himself.
Dragons still stuck with him until 2023. 2020 season will see him as their primary playmaker just like he was this year and I'd say he'll stay in that spot until 2023. Can't see much coming Dragons way with this 1.1 million dollar flop leading them around.
He seems to play well for Queensland in the hooker position but he's again his average self when playing for Australia also. Keary went down in the 2018 game against New Zealand and Hunt once again had the chance to steer the side with DCE and got a kicking by them. Now he's somehow viewed as the best bench utility in the country (By Australian selectors) which I also disagree with...
That $1.1million figure has been widely speculated, but not confirmed. Our recruitment has repeatedly rejected it, and so has Hunt.
Taking away the figure, you may still be correct. He’s on very good money regardless, and I’d like to see him lead the team like a halfback.
At the same time, Mary could probably ruin Dally Messenger with his shithouse game plans. So who really knows what Hunt can bring?
As a simple example, Hunt used to look great when he straightened with Thaiday running an out line off his hip. I haven’t seen this used once in his time at the Dragons, with Mary coaching Frizell to run an inside line every damn time.
If that tubby bitch Thaiday can make the play work, imagine what a perfect specimen of an edge backrower like Frizell could do with it.