Hunt nails Origin audition in epic comeback, Hodgson can’t save Canberra Faders: 3 Big Hits
Mark St John from Fox Sports
@markdfstjohn
June 19th, 2021 7:43 pm
A Ben Hunt masterclass has inspired the Dragons to a thrilling 22-20 comeback win over the Raiders to stamp his Queensland papers for Origin II.
Here are the key takeaways from the match.
HUNT NAILS ORIGIN AUDITION
If Ben Hunt isn’t in a Maroons jersey for Origin II there will be hell to pay for Queensland selectors because he couldn’t do anymore at WIN Stadium.
Hunt was by far and away the best player on the field with a mesmerising display that had the Raiders skating on thin ice at times.
Corey Parker praised Hunt’s ability to take his team on his back and will them back into the contest after a slow start.
“Ben Hunt was terrific,” Parker said.
“Two linebreak assists and a try assist. Everything was happening around Ben Hunt.
“He has been terrific for the Dragons since getting the captaincy.”
Hunt finished with 100 run metres, five tackle busts, two linebreaks, two linebreak assists and two try assists in a superb showing.
Hunt might not be displacing Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans in the No.7 jersey, but he has to be in the 17 somewhere and the No.14 jersey looks the most likely spot.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
HODGSON BACK TO HIS BEST FOR RESURGENT RAIDERS
Raiders hooker Josh Hodgson has had his fair share of critics in 2021, but the English hooker is finally showing he is back to his best.
It is easy to forget Hodgson was coming off a serious long-term knee injury this season so it was always going to take time for the No.9 to get his confidence back.
Corey Parker and Dan Ginnane lauded Hodgson’s stoicism to put all the off-field conjecture surrounding his future behind him and help inspire the Raiders in their season turnaround.
“Josh Hodgson there is a man who has been significant tonight,” Ginnane said to Parker.
“He was terrific for the Raiders in the opening stages of that first half,” Parker said.
“He dictated terms to the Dragons defence. He came up with a try assist and really had his forwards going forward playing off the back of that.”
Hodgson set up the first try of the game to Corey Harawira-Naera with a brilliant dart out of dummyhalf.
“Wonderful piece of deception out to this left-hand side,” Parker said.
“Wighton and Simonsson were all lined up to the left and Hodgson went right.
“Wonderful play from Hodgson.
“I like when Josh Hodgson gets the ball in his hands and makes a decision. He has got seven try assists now for 2021. Leads the way comfortably for Canberra in that area.
“He needs to take control in that area and that try showed why.”
“It does seem like Hodgson has returned to his best form in the last two weeks,” Ginnane said.
Hodgson finished with 32 run metres, a tackle bust, a linebreak assist and a try assist to go with 45 tackles.
NORMAN’S STRONG AUDITION FOR NEW CLUB AS FADERS RETURN
Unwanted Dragons star Corey Norman may have started slowly against the Raiders, but he stormed home in the second half and scored the match winning try and conversion.
There may have been a horror wind to contend with, but unfortunately for the Raiders their bad old habit of fading in second halves came back to haunt them again.
Norman kicked dead twice in a row in the first half and was guilty of a high tackle on Sebastian Kris when the Dragons had the Raiders under the pump.
However he grew into the contest and finished with 79 run metres, a tackle bust, two offloads, a try assist and 10 points including the match winning try and conversion.
The Dragons might not want him on their books next year and he won’t command the $800,000 he is currently on, but there is definitely a club that could do with a player of his caliber.
A 2021 ©
Hunt nails Origin audition in epic comeback, Hodgson can’t save Canberra Faders: 3 Big Hits
Hunt nails Origin audition in epic comeback, Hodgson can’t save Canberra Faders: 3 Big Hits
www.foxsports.com.au
