Hunt was the worst captain we’ve had by a country mile. Hated that we had to suffer with it for so long, and just accept articles like that and comments from coaches just like that above.
Ben was not a mood lifter on the field.
Hardly spoke on the field unless he was pointing fingers.
Did not use the challenge rule to our advantage enough.
Flopped under pressure.
All about him first, team second.
So glad that’s done now and yes I realise Ilias is not an upgrade in the halves but I’ll take it if we have an actual captain players want to play for and with.
Yes and he lost me in three key monents this year:
-Anzac Day game where Flanagan and Eisenhuth were defending like champs after Suli was knocked out, only for Hunt to give up the ball cheaply and miss numerous crucial tackles (which the coach subtly referenced in the presser)
- Waving his arms around at Flanagan in anger on that confusion last tackle play against Bulldogs at Kogarah. Instead of being a captain. Dogs scored off that set. We were in it until then.
- Similar behaviour at Ravalawa against Parra in the second last round early in the game. Team dropped its bundle following that.
He was a very poor captain. That said, these behaviours come out when you ask someone to perform a role they just arent capable of. He isnt a captain. I think he is a nice guy and good player, but not healthy for him to be the leader and it was bad for us.
BTW - I could make a similar analysis of how Lomax's mindset changed when he played centre instead of wing this year. Very costly against Manly at Brookvale and against Parra. They are quite similar.