NRL 2021: Dragons skipper Ben Hunt played large part of match against Manly with broken leg

The Dragons have confirmed how long playmaker Ben Hunt will be sidelined for, after the skipper was praised for his toughness in playing with a broken leg.

2021 NRL Round 03 - St. George Illawarra Dragons v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, WIN Stadium, 2021-03-26. Digital image by David Hossack � NRL Photos

St George Illawarra skipper Ben Hunt will miss the next four to six weeks after playing with a broken leg in the Dragons’ win against Manly last Friday.

Scans revealed Hunt will be sidelined for at least a month, drawing praise from coach Anthony Griffin for his toughness.

Hunt carried a cork to his shin into the match after hurting it in Round 2 and it was thought he had just re-aggravated the injury

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The Dragons could be without Ben Hunt for some time.

X-Ray of Ben Hunt’s broken leg.

However, scans shocked the Dragons on Saturday when it revealed an impact fracture to his fibula. Hunt downplayed the injury throughout the match and indicated he could play out the game if needed.

Hunt received treatment at halftime having sustained the knock early in the match. He played a remarkable 71 minutes before he came from the field.

“He didn’t pay much attention to it,” Griffin said.

“Whenever we got the trainer out to check on him, the message kept coming back that he was OK.

“Injuries to key players are something every team deals with. You just have to deal with it.

“It’s not good but you’re always going to get injuries.”

Surgery could have sidelined Hunt for three months.

Adam Clune is expected to return to the side to play Newcastle next Sunday after filling in when Corey Norman was suspended for the opening match of the season.

“He did a good job in Round 1,” Griffin said.

Hunt, who was walking freely on the injury on Saturday, had his 31st birthday celebrations soured by the injury.

The Dragons will also need a new skipper. Griffin has not appointed a vice-captain since giving Hunt the captaincy.

Veteran hooker Andrew McCullough is in line to captain the side just three games into his Dragons career. Tariq Sims is another option. Both players spent time at the Knights.