Maroons hopeful Ben Hunt stars as Dragons thump Bulldogs 40-4

Ben Hunt has offered up a not-so-subtle reminder to Queensland selectors, playing a hand a in no less than six tries as his St George Illawarra side thrashed Canterbury 40-4.

Ben Hunt celebrates after scoring his second try for the Dragons. Picture: Brett Costello

He went hunting Bulldogs.

St George Illawarra halfback Ben Hunt offered up a not-so-subtle reminder to Queensland selectors — don’t forget me.

In a dominant and probing performance, Hunt was involved in six tries as his Dragons demolished Canterbury 40-4 at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah.

Hunt was involved in everything. He played a role in three first-half tries, one through a vital one-on-one strip, and three more in the second. It was one of the finest individual performances of the season.

“Benny is really enjoying his footy,” Dragons coach Paul McGregor said.

“When someone with that much talent is enjoying his footy, it’s exciting to watch. He’s had a couple of good games this year but that was his best.”

Ben Hunt celebrates after scoring his second try for the Dragons. Picture: Brett Costello

Hunt has been under scrutiny since he ­arrived at St George Illawarra last year.

On Sunday he finally looked comfortable and at home in the Red V.

Hunt crossed for his own try in the 59th minute after a horrible Bulldogs blunder and then scored again in the final minute.

His smile lit up the Kogarah night.

Hunt would be behind Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans for the Maroons’ No. 7 jumper but the Dragons star could be considered as a hooker or bench utility.

“It’s been a while in between doubles,” Hunt told Triple M.

“I’m extremely happy.”

Fullback Matt Dufty was elusive, running for 168m.

Saints’ spine without injured Gareth Widdop is now firing after a slow start.

Ben Hunt played a hand in six tries for the Dragons, including scoring two of his own. Picture: Brett Costello

DYNAMIC DRAGONS

Canterbury whacked Saints 38-0 in the corresponding game last year at Kogarah.

The loss, when St George Illawarra were fourth on the ladder, prompted fans to yell abuse at the players as they left the field.

On Sunday they were cheered from the field at half-time and full-time as the crowd gave them standing ovations.

The Dragons rumbled and rolled over Canterbury in the first half. It was as good a half as any this season. The Dogs were blown off the park.

“They made a statement,” former NSW star Ryan Girdler said.

Saints hooker Cameron McInnes made 49 tackles.

“It was a clinic,” McGregor said.

Tyson Frizell terrorised the Bulldogs. Picture: Brett Costello

FEARSOME FRIZELL

Tyson Frizell terrorised at times. Former Dragons forward Gorden Tallis told Triple M that Frizell was “bullying” opposition players.

It was a brutal performance for a player who has only been back a week after lacerating a testicle. Frizell was rested for the final 25 minutes.

Frizell’s NSW teammate Paul Vaughan was powerful, too. He made one memorable 30m carry from a kick-off.

Vaughan limped off with a minor ankle sprain in the 53rd minute and did not return.

“It should be right,” Vaughan said.

DAYTIME DOGS

Sunday was Canterbury’s fifth day match in five rounds. Maybe yesterday they wanted to hide in the dark.

The Dogs had moved forward several steps in the past two games but took a few strides backwards against the Dragons.

Some of their handling and passing options were horrible. They only completed at 60 per cent in the second half. It was Canterbury’s heaviest loss at Kogarah since 1965.

“We made way too many errors,” Bulldogs coach Dean Pay said. “It wasn’t good enough.”

Jayden Okunbor and the Bulldogs had a tough day out against the Dragons. Picture: Getty Images

DAY IN COURT

Dragons star Jack de Belin will appear in ­Federal Court on Monday to challenge the NRL’s no-fault stand-down rule.

“What I hope happens is that he does win,” McGregor said.

Asked would he select de Belin should the player win his case, McGregor said: “If he’s mentally and physically right, absolutely.”

INTERNATIONAL DAY

Twelve nations were represented across both sides on Sunday. Players with heritage from Australia, Lebanon, Tonga, Samoa, Italy, Scotland, New Zealand, Nigeria, England, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Wales all played.

RIP PETER

Dragons players wore black armbands to honour Peter Armstrong, a member of the legendary Dragons side of the 1950s and 1960s, who passed away last week.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 40 (B Hunt 2 E Aitken T Lafai Z Lomax J Pereira M Ravalawa tries T Lafai 4 Z Lomax 2 goals) bt CANTERBURY 4 (R Smith try) at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton, Ashley Klein. Crowd: 13,409

Originally published as Maroons hopeful Ben Hunt stars as Dragons thump Bulldogs 40-4