And now are you glad we have signed Ben Hunt ?

[getsmarty]

Dragons' Hunt downs Lodge, Brisbane

Ben Hunt has scored an intercept try in St George Illawarra's NRL clash against Brisbane. (AAP)


Ben Hunt's intercept try from a Matt Lodge pass in St George-Illawarra's 34-12 win over Brisbane has put an exclamation mark on the NRL's two big headlines.

Updated Updated 52 mins ago

Ben Hunt breathed hope back into long-suffering St George Illawarra fans and rammed home Matt Lodge's tough NRL return with one foul swoop as he set up a 34-12 win over former club Brisbane.

Two of the NRL's biggest pre-season stories collided on Thursday night when $6 million man Hunt intercepted a Lodge pass in the 50th minute to score his first try in Dragons' colours, ending any likely hope of a Brisbane comeback and taking his team to a 16-6 lead.

Rugby league's script writers sure can pen some kind of tale, as the intercept summed up the fortunes of both players in a dramatic opening to the season at Jubilee Oval.

Having not won a finals match since now-Broncos coach Wayne Bennett guided them to the title in 2010, Hunt's impact on the Dragons was immediate.

He set up the Dragons' first try when he grubbered out of dummy-half for the chasing Tyson Frizell, while his long kicking game was equally impressive in the first half.

The Dragons' all-important spine was also much better for his arrival.

Gareth Widdop looked dangerous running the ball in attack, freed up from the burden of having to organise the team alongside makeshift halfbacks since his arrival from Melbourne in 2014.

He struck up a nice combination with young fullback Matt Dufty, who was as quick as ever through the midfield and on kick returns.

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/dragons-hunt-downs-lodge-brisbane

Hooker Cameron McInees even looked as if he'd improved on his career-best 2017. He ran freely from dummy-half in the first half to finish with 48 metres from his five up-tempo carries.

Jack de Belin, Jason Nightingale and Euan Aitken each also finished with tries for the Dragons in their 50th win at Kogarah as a merged club.

"These two (Hunt and Widdop) are going to work well together," coach Paul McGregor said.

"Ben is a genuine No.7 and Gareth is a genuine No.6.

"(Gareth)'s got bottomless talent and he wants to play instinctive footy. Whereas you wear the No.7 you've got to execute a game plan and the kicking game."

Comparatively, Brisbane struggled for cohesion as James Roberts scored their only two tries in the second half - either of side of Lodge's intercept pass.

The headline story of the past month, Lodge looked every bit the nervous player on return from his two-year exile, stemming from his infamous New York rampage.

Booed every time he touched the ball by the crowd of 14,457, he was whacked by a Frizell shoulder charge on his first run - earning the Broncos a penalty.

However, he was later penalised for a high shot on Dragons prop James Graham, and dropped a pass cold minutes later in the first half as he looked to take a hit-up.

"I wasn't disappointed with Matt," Bennett said.

"He had to start somewhere. We got him on the footy field tonight and got him playing football."

Source: AAP

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/dragons-hunt-downs-lodge-brisbane

 

[giboz71]

Hunt was good tonight without being spectacular (if you take away the intercept). We’ll see better from him as the year progresses I’m sure.

But he definitely knows how to play halfback and that’s what’s been missing for about 6 seasons. That was the biggest takeaway from the game tonight.

 

[getsmarty]

Hunt stars for Dragons against former club
11:31 PM AEDT

• AAP

Ben Hunt breathed hope back into long-suffering St George Illawarra fans and rammed home Matt Lodge's tough NRL return with one foul swoop as he set up a 34-12 win over former club Brisbane.

Two of the NRL's biggest pre-season stories collided on Thursday night when $6 million man Hunt intercepted a Lodge pass in the 50th minute to score his first try in Dragons' colours, ending any likely hope of a Brisbane comeback and taking his team to a 16-6 lead.

New recruit Ben Hunt played a key role in the Dragons' opening round NRL win over the Broncos. Matt King/Getty Images
Rugby league's script writers sure can pen some kind of tale, as the intercept summed up the fortunes of both players in a dramatic opening to the season at Jubilee Oval.

Having not won a finals match since now-Broncos coach Wayne Bennett guided them to the title in 2010, Hunt's impact on the Dragons was immediate.

He set up the Dragons' first try when he grubbered out of dummy-half for the chasing Tyson Frizell, while his long kicking game was equally impressive in the first half.

The Dragons' all-important spine was also much better for his arrival.

Gareth Widdop looked dangerous running the ball in attack, freed up from the burden of having to organise the team alongside makeshift halfbacks since his arrival from Melbourne in 2014.

He struck up a nice combination with young fullback Matt Dufty, who was as quick as ever through the midfield and on kick returns.

Hooker Cameron McInees even looked as if he'd improved on his career-best 2017.

He ran freely from dummy-half in the first half to finish with 48 metres from his five up-tempo carries.

Jack de Belin, Jason Nightingale and Euan Aitken each also finished with tries for the Dragons in their 50th win at Kogarah as a merged club.

Tevita Pangai is tackled in the opening round of the 2018 NRL season. Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
"These two (Hunt and Widdop) are going to work well together," coach Paul McGregor said.

"Ben is a genuine No.7 and Gareth is a genuine No.6.

"(Gareth)'s got bottomless talent and he wants to play instinctive footy. Whereas you wear the No.7 you've got to execute a game plan and the kicking game."

Comparatively, Brisbane struggled for cohesion as James Roberts scored their only two tries in the second half - either of side of Lodge's intercept pass.

The headline story of the past month, Lodge looked every bit the nervous player on return from his two-year exile, stemming from his infamous New York rampage.

Booed every time he touched the ball by the crowd of 14,457, he was whacked by a Frizell shoulder charge on his first run - earning the Broncos a penalty.

However, he was later penalised for a high shot on Dragons prop James Graham, and dropped a pass cold minutes later in the first half as he looked to take a hit-up.

"I wasn't disappointed with Matt," Bennett said.

"He had to start somewhere. We got him on the footy field tonight and got him playing football."


http://www.espn.com.au/nrl/story/_/...-st-george-illawarra-dragons-brisbane-broncos

 

[nickdragons90]

Well played Ben hunt, it's great to see a true number 7 at our club. Yes it's only 1 game, but an excellent promising start, well played.

 

[BennyV]

While I dont believe the $1.2m per year figure thrown up - even if it was true, this guy will be worth every cent we pay for him.

 

[Walpole]

One of the great things about just having Hunt there was how well McInnes and Widdop played. Can't wait to see how those three are combining after they've played together for half a season.

 

[Life's Good]

I didn't even like Goldthorpe. Hunt is so much better than Goldthorpe ever was

Don’t dis Goldie. Got us home in many actight game in 92,93. I also remember him smashing Gillmeister at Kogarah in 93(pretty sure that’s the year).

 

[Life's Good]

Goldthorpe is the only pure half we have had over the past 20 years.

Am not saying Goldthorpe is better than Hunt.

Ben Hunt had a great debut.

Makes us far more potent.

He has already relieved Widdop of all the pressure he is usually under.

May have also helped Cam McInnes by providing Brisbane with an additional quality player to focus on, thus giving Cam greater opportunity to scoot from Dummy half.

Dufty is also looking the goods.

I’ve said before that for Hunt to play his best he needs a running D/H. Not all the time but someone that splits the markers/questions the defence. He formed a great combination with McCulloch at the Donkeys and with McInnes doing the same, there’s no reason that can’t happen here. I’m confident it will develop.

 

[getsmarty]

Ben Hunt and Gareth Widdop make big impression as Dragons start new season with a bang
AAP, AAP
March 9, 2018 5:18am
GARETH Widdop and Ben Hunt say their combination at St George Illawarra is still in the working stages after the 34-12 pummelling of Brisbane in the NRL season opener.

But as far as first impressions go, this was something of a beauty.

Built off the foundation of one of the strongest forward packs in the competition, the pair combined brilliantly and were involved in everything on Thursday night.

Ben Hunt made a great Dragons debut on Thursday night.


Hunt set up the Dragons’ opening try and scored his team’s next against his former club, while Widdop threw the last pass for two others. Critically, it marked the first time Widdop has played alongside a recognised and experienced No.7 at the club, having largely been forced to make do with regular five-eighths since his move from Melbourne in 2014.

“He’s a halfback who will go at the game, he’s not going to sit back and wait,” Widdop said.

“Obviously he did that tonight and I think every player tonight put their hand up tonight and played some good football.

“My combination with him is only going to get better with time. And obviously with (fullback) Matt Dufty there, it’s a pleasing first start.”

The duo who only united in January due to World Cup commitments, have had just eight weeks alongside each other at training.

Gareth Widdop charges into the Broncos defence.
They are also one of 11 new halves pairings in the NRL this year, after Hunt’s $6 million signature at the Dragons kick-started one of the biggest market merry-go-round in the game’s history.

“It’s coming along really well,” Hunt said of their partnership.

I still think we’ve got a long way to go but he’s a freak footballer, Gareth.

“He knows the game so well. He keeps calling me to do different plays and I think we’re combining nice.”

Widdop is signed until the end of 2021 while Hunt will be at the Dragons until at least the end of 2022, with an option to stay for up to another year after that.

Dragons press conference
They’re part of the reason why coach Paul McGregor spoke in the off-season about the club’s premiership window opening over the coming years. Another is the development of the rest of their spine.

Hooker Cameron McInnes - who was dangerous as ever out of dummy-half - is also there until the end of 2021, while Dufty still has his best seasons well ahead of him.

“He’s an exceptional player Cam, I’ve never seen anyone work as hard at training as he has,” Hunt said.

“And young Matt Dufty, he is coming along really well. I think there is plenty of improvement left in his fame and hr’s only going to get better as the year goes on.”



https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...g/news-story/9f5c9e680835538257955a899ca8e1de

 

[Frank Facer]

Mad Hunt

 

[pinkmoon]

Hunt controlled the game beautifully tonight. The intercept was absolutely the turning point, we were up against it before that moment. His long and short kicking game were excellent, he's clearly spent a lot of time on it.

Isn't it nice to finally have a quality halfback!!

He still had his mandatory brain farts...that horrendous kick over the dead ball line at a crucial moment for example. He didn't cost Brisbane with the dropped kick off in the GF, he cost them with terrible game management that included spoiling tactics for the final 20 minutes of the game where he kept putting the ball into touch even though the scores were close. He is a flash in pan idiot that will cost the team in big games...mark my words, it'll happen. It's round one and Brisbane didn't get off the bus last night.

 

[Datramp]

He still had his mandatory brain farts...that horrendous kick over the dead ball line at a crucial moment for example. He didn't cost Brisbane with the dropped kick off in the GF, he cost them with terrible game management that included spoiling tactics for the final 20 minutes of the game where he kept putting the ball into touch even though the scores were close. He is a flash in pan idiot that will cost the team in big games...mark my words, it'll happen. It's round one and Brisbane didn't get off the bus last night.

I disagree. Brisbane wouldn't have been anywhere near the grand final without him. He won them many many games through that season.

 

[RufusRex]

in answer to the original post the answer is yes.

still yes

 

[KiamaSaint]

still yes

I concur.

 

[epDragon62]

I concur.

As do I in spades...

 

[Dragsters]

After picking the donkeys pockets and scoring under the sticks...

Ben Hunt is glad we signed Ben Hunt!

 

[blaza88z]

Brisbane fan here.. if he slotted that field goal, I would be in lockup

 

[TomRedVRiver]

He still had his mandatory brain farts...that horrendous kick over the dead ball line at a crucial moment for example. He didn't cost Brisbane with the dropped kick off in the GF, he cost them with terrible game management that included spoiling tactics for the final 20 minutes of the game where he kept putting the ball into touch even though the scores were close. He is a flash in pan idiot that will cost the team in big games...mark my words, it'll happen. It's round one and Brisbane didn't get off the bus last night.

Are you serious? We're talking about the 2015 season here. 3 years ago mate. Stop living in the past. What about when he made the Australian team and the Queensland Origin side? How about when he single handedly got them to that Grand Final in 2015 and was a few points off the Dally M in 2014. How about when he was thrust into the hooker position and all of a sudden was Cameron Smith's first choice back up hooker?

Yes, Hunt can be susceptible to a couple of mistakes here and there, but isn't every player? He had a quality game for us last night and won Man of the Match. He did SO many things right and you pick one moment when he kicked the ball dead. Do you remember that moment when he basically won the game for us by taking that intercept when we were under the pump? Or his pinpoint kicking game (apart from the kick that went dead). Or if it wasn't for Widdop being half a yard offside, we would have scored probably an early contender for try of the year of a reverse banana kick.

Stop driving your pessimistic agenda and open your eyes. Hunt is quality.

 

[blaza88z]

Are you serious? We're talking about the 2015 season here. 3 years ago mate. Stop living in the past. What about when he made the Australian team and the Queensland Origin side? How about when he single handedly got them to that Grand Final in 2015 and was a few points off the Dally M in 2014. How about when he was thrust into the hooker position and all of a sudden was Cameron Smith's first choice back up hooker?

Yes, Hunt can be susceptible to a couple of mistakes here and there, but isn't every player? He had a quality game for us last night and won Man of the Match. He did SO many things right and you pick one moment when he kicked the ball dead. Do you remember that moment when he basically won the game for us by taking that intercept when we were under the pump? Or his pinpoint kicking game (apart from the kick that went dead). Or if it wasn't for Widdop being half a yard offside, we would have scored probably an early contender for try of the year of a reverse banana kick.

Stop driving your pessimistic agenda and open your eyes. Hunt is quality.

I wouldn't say single handedly lol, we had a good squad. I get you're excited but let's not be delusional here

 

[getsmarty]

Hunt produces Dragons masterclass to haunt his former side
March 9, 2018 ricky Leave a comment
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Ben Hunt
Ben Hunt has come back to haunt his former side, the Brisbane Broncos, guiding his new club the St George Illawarra Dragons to a comfortable victory in the 2017 NRL Telstra Premiership season opener.

Hunt, who laid on a deft kick for a Tyson Frizell try and then scored a try of his own when he took an intercept off an errant Matthew Lodge pass.

All eyes were also on the return of Lodge, who many believe should not be back playing NRL.

Nevertheless, Lodge was solid in his first game back in a number of years with Broncos coach Wayne Bennett confident that the prop will be better for the long-run after his opening hit-out.

“You have to start somewhere,” Bennett said at the post-match press conference.

“We got him on the footy field tonight and got him playing football.

“He just needs to play football, he played football tonight. First game back in the NRL for three years. It’s the best thing that’s happened to him.”

The opening twenty minutes of the game proved to be a scrappy affair as three penalty goals put the Dragons up 4-2.

The opening try came soon after, though, when Ben Hunt weighed up the situation from dummy half and deftly kicked ahead as Tyson Frizell outpaced and outmuscled Anthony Milford to score.

With a 10-2 lead at the break, the Broncos were in all sorts after a lacklustre display.

Despite their best efforts to lift intensity and enthusiasm in the second half – which they did to some extent on the back of a James Roberts double – it was not enough for a poor Broncos side.

Inopportune errors continued to cost them as further tries to Euan Aitken and Jack de Belin sealed a comfortable opening win for the Dragons.

Bennett did not mince his words, laying the blame solely at the feet of the forwards.

“That first half was poor. We had no momentum, couldn’t get anything. Our ball control was 45 percent at half time,” Bennett said.

“The halves can’t play if the other guys aren’t doing their job.”

Dragons coach Paul McGregor praised his new halves duo for their performances.

“Gareth … I’ll embarrass him but he’s got bottomless talent. He likes to play instinctive footy,” McGregor said.

“When you wear the seven you’ve got to execute a game plan. They complement each other really well. That was just the start of something we can build over the year.

“You’ve got two competitive players on the football field, we’ve got some strike on both edges.”

Player of the Game:

3. Ben Hunt

2. James Roberts

1. Jack de Belin

St George Illawarra Dragons 32 (Frizell, Hunt, Aitken, De Belin, Nightingale; Widdop 7/8) def. Broncos 14 (Roberts 2; Kahu 2/3)

http://www.nospam09.com/2018/03/09/hunt-produces-dragons-masterclass-to-haunt-his-former-side/