Roving utility Ben Hampton has emerged as Melbourne’s Mr Fix It
AFTER spending the better part of two years in Queensland Cup wilderness, Ben Hampton has emerged as Melbourne’s Mr Fix It.
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BEN Hampton could be Melbourne Storm’s new Mr Fix It.
The 24-year-old — who burst onto the NRL with two tries on debut in 2013 — has re-emerged after spending the better part of two years in the Queensland Cup wilderness.
After previous stints at fullback and in the halves, Hampton is making a fist of his new role as a roving utility off the bench in the mould of former Storm champion Ryan Hinchcliffe.
Hampton was instrumental in last week’s come-from-behind win over Newcastle, sparking his side when he came on with a sizzling 81m in just 25 minutes of game time.
Coach Craig Bellamy will be expecting more of the same on Monday when his side meets the Bulldogs at AAMI Park.
“I’m really enjoying it and it is definitely a different role to what I have been given over the past couple of years,” Hampton said.
“I’m not really sure where my position is at the moment, but I’ve just sort of been given a job by the coaches to do that utility role.
“If I have to slot in here or there, that’s what I have to do to stay in the team.”
It has been a tough few seasons for Hampton, who has struggled to cement a place in a fiercely competitive Storm side.
He has played four of the first five games this season, after making just three first-grade appearances last season.
Hampton said it made his return to the top flight even sweeter.
“It does get difficult, but in saying you can’t really complain about playing behind some of the boys because they are world class players,” he said.
“It’s a big achievement to get in and play with them, and I’m really grateful.
“Missing out the past couple of years has made me sort of want it more and to push more.
“I’ve also had the help of the best going around as well, so I just made sure I utilised that.”
Storm is braced for a “physical” contest against an imposing Bulldogs outfit led by skipper James Graham.
Melbourne has not beaten the Bulldogs since 2013, and Hampton said his side will need to be on its game.
“We’re been really concentrating on our attack this week,” he said.
“We may be 4-1 but we still feel like we’ve got a lot of improvement there.
“It is just some of the little things that we sort of haven’t put the polish on.”
Originally published as Roving utility Ben Hampton has emerged as Melbourne’s Mr Fix It
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