St George Illawarra prop Dan Hunt says: Past fortnight toughest of my career
DAN Hunt, the St George Illawarra prop who once missed an NRL grand final win through injury, has described the past fortnight as the toughest of my rugby league career.
Celebrating his 150th top grade appearance on Saturday night, Hunt is a key member of the Dragons pack currently being branded not only soft and inept, but the weakest in rugby league.
And that criticism, it affects you, he concedes.
It makes you look at yourself, question yourself, wonder if everything youre doing actually works.
To be totally honest, these past couple of weeks have been the toughest of my career. And with all respect to you, Ive stopped reading the paper. Stayed away from social media too.
Just tried to keep myself focused on positives so that it doesnt do my head in. There are a lot of guys here who have really taken the criticism personally.
A key part of the Dragons pack since 2007, Hunt has been through the clubs greatest highs - including the 2010 Grand Final win he missed because of a busted achillies - and their recent decline, which culminated with the sacking of coach Steve Price a fortnight ago.
Saturday at WIN Stadium, however, the Red V have a tremendous opportunity to stop the rot, taking on a Cronulla Sharks outfit missing a host of established first graders.
But its not about us saying oh, everyones writing us off, lets get out there and show them, Hunt stressed.
Thats just cliché, and clichés dont win you footy games.
What we need to focus on is preparation, game plan, even staying strict to your diet and all those other little details. Thats what is going to turn things around, not holding up some article that says were soft.
Asked how he felt to reach the 150 milestone, Hunt continued: Ive actually reflected on that a bit this week -- Im surprised at how quick the time has gone.
Obviously for me, the 2010 premiership is the highlight. At the time, I didnt really feel a part of the win watching from the sidelines. But the older you get, the more you realise how important so many people are to getting a team there.
Thats why, after we won, Wayne Bennett made sure the club made up premiership rings for all 20 players who had played a significant part in that campaign. For someone of his standing to do that, to make sure I was rewarded for the effort I put in, that really meant a lot.
Despite winning their first three games of the season, the Dragons have slumped so badly since they now sit in 13th on just 10 points. In the past month alone, the Red V have conceded 137 points, while scoring just 30.
According to the TAB, they are now $6 to finish the NRL season with most losses. They are ahead of only Cronulla ($2.10), Newcastle ($4.50) and Canberra ($5).
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...est-of-my-career/story-fni3g9a3-1226946141965
- Nick Walshaw
- The Daily Telegraph
- June 07, 2014 12:00AM
DAN Hunt, the St George Illawarra prop who once missed an NRL grand final win through injury, has described the past fortnight as the toughest of my rugby league career.
Celebrating his 150th top grade appearance on Saturday night, Hunt is a key member of the Dragons pack currently being branded not only soft and inept, but the weakest in rugby league.
And that criticism, it affects you, he concedes.
It makes you look at yourself, question yourself, wonder if everything youre doing actually works.
To be totally honest, these past couple of weeks have been the toughest of my career. And with all respect to you, Ive stopped reading the paper. Stayed away from social media too.
Just tried to keep myself focused on positives so that it doesnt do my head in. There are a lot of guys here who have really taken the criticism personally.
A key part of the Dragons pack since 2007, Hunt has been through the clubs greatest highs - including the 2010 Grand Final win he missed because of a busted achillies - and their recent decline, which culminated with the sacking of coach Steve Price a fortnight ago.
Saturday at WIN Stadium, however, the Red V have a tremendous opportunity to stop the rot, taking on a Cronulla Sharks outfit missing a host of established first graders.
But its not about us saying oh, everyones writing us off, lets get out there and show them, Hunt stressed.
Thats just cliché, and clichés dont win you footy games.
What we need to focus on is preparation, game plan, even staying strict to your diet and all those other little details. Thats what is going to turn things around, not holding up some article that says were soft.
Asked how he felt to reach the 150 milestone, Hunt continued: Ive actually reflected on that a bit this week -- Im surprised at how quick the time has gone.
Obviously for me, the 2010 premiership is the highlight. At the time, I didnt really feel a part of the win watching from the sidelines. But the older you get, the more you realise how important so many people are to getting a team there.
Thats why, after we won, Wayne Bennett made sure the club made up premiership rings for all 20 players who had played a significant part in that campaign. For someone of his standing to do that, to make sure I was rewarded for the effort I put in, that really meant a lot.
Despite winning their first three games of the season, the Dragons have slumped so badly since they now sit in 13th on just 10 points. In the past month alone, the Red V have conceded 137 points, while scoring just 30.
According to the TAB, they are now $6 to finish the NRL season with most losses. They are ahead of only Cronulla ($2.10), Newcastle ($4.50) and Canberra ($5).
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...est-of-my-career/story-fni3g9a3-1226946141965