NRL 2020: Ben Hunt named as Dragons captain to replace Cameron McInnes

New Dragons coach Anthony Griffin has proved he isn’t afraid to make big calls, naming Cameron McInnes’ replacement as Dragons captain.

Ben Hunt will skipper the Dragons in 2021 after McInnes suffered an ACL injury at training. Picture: Getty Images.

St George Illawarra’s Anthony Griffin has proven again he isn’t afraid to make bold calls, naming maligned halfback Ben Hunt as captain.

The Daily Telegraph has learned the coach informed the Dragons board of Hunt’s appointment on Tuesday night.

Hunt secured the club’s top individual honour after regular skipper, Cam McInnes, sustained a season-ending knee injury at training last week.

The Dragons are expected to formally announce Hunt as captain in the next 48 hours. He will lead the Dragons for the first time in next Saturday night’s Charity Shield match against South Sydney in Mudgee.

Tariq Sims and young gun Zac Lomax were among the other contenders for Griffin to consider.

Despite having just arrived at the club, veteran hooker Andrew McCullough may also have been mentioned.

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Ben Hunt will skipper the Dragons in 2021 after McInnes suffered an ACL injury at training. Picture: Getty Images.

Being named skipper comes after Griffin all but guaranteed Hunt the starting halfback position for this season.

Hunt still remains the target of unsettled Dragons fans after signing a five-year, $6 million contract to join the club from Brisbane in 2018.

Griffin has shown he will not walk away from making contentious calls, have already embarked on an ultimately failed pursuit of Israel Folau and secured McCullough on a three-year deal, while McInnes has been allowed to sign with Cronulla.

Hunt, 30, played four years under Griffin when the pair were together at Brisbane between 2011 and 2014.

Hunt told the Dragons website last week he was excited to be playing under Griffin again.

“It’s been great having him back here, it’s been a really enjoyable place to be. There’s a real buzz and excitement of change and something new,” Hunt said.

“He’s very clear about what he wants, he tells you how it is and expects all of his players to stay in line which makes it really enjoyable and pushes us to put our best foot forward.

“He’s created an environment that he had back at the Broncos.”

Ben Hunt is enjoying his reunion with Anthony Griffin after working together during their time at the Broncos. Picture: Jono Searle.

While coaching at Brisbane, Griffin was credited with transforming Hunt from a bench player into a Test and State of Origin player.

Hunt played just five of 19 games last season in his preferred halfback position. He even endured the indignity of being dropped to the interchange bench by then St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor in round five.

When appointed Dragons coach in December, Griffin made it clear he wanted Hunt to step up as a senior player.

“Hard work, honesty, leadership, all those things that have got to be important to him if he’s going to have a serious crack,” Griffin said.

“Ben can obviously play a few positions but anyone in the team, it’s got to be important to them about the team first. He can play halfback, hooker, five-eighth. He’s got a lot more potential in him to unlock and Ben knows that.”

St George Illawarra plays Parramatta in an unofficial trial against Parramatta on Thursday night at Jubilee Oval.

Originally published as NRL 2020: Ben Hunt named as Dragons captain to replace Cameron McInnes