Ben Hunt finally gets ‘redemption’ with ‘unbelievable’ play in Origin decider

Ben Hunt was once the laughing stock of the NRL but he finally got his redemption with a heroic play in the Origin decider.

Ben Hunt runs away to score the winning try.

Redemption must taste oh so sweet for Ben Hunt.

The State of Origin decider went right down to the wire before Hunt killed off NSW with a brilliant intercept try to hand the Maroons an epic 22-12 victory.

The Blues were out on their feet and halfback Nathan Cleary had one last roll of the dice, attempting a chip kick to get over Queensland’s defence.

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But Hunt somehow swatted the ball as soon as it left Cleary’s boot and ran 60 metres to score and seal the win for the Maroons.

He let out a huge roar as Suncorp Stadium erupted and he was mobbed by his teammates, who knew the result was beyond doubt.

Hunt also nailed a 40-20 earlier in the game to give Queensland crucial field position.

His heroics for the Maroons completed a redemption story stretching back to the 2015 Grand Final, when he famously dropped the ball off the kick-off in golden point, practically handing victory to the North Queensland Cowboys over his Broncos.

That blunder made Hunt the butt of jokes for years and a much maligned player, who eventually moved to the Dragons on a multimillion-dollar deal.

But the 32-year-old has produced his best football for Queensland in recent years and fans were thrilled seven years on, Hunt finally had his crowning moment.

That would have felt good for Ben Hunt. Photo: Adam Head

Ben Hunt’s redemption is complete. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

CODE Sports’ Brendan Bradford tweeted: “Ben Hunt’s lowest moment ever was a straight forward dropped catch, and his greatest moment is the wildest catch you’ve ever seen.”

ESPN’s Laurie Horesh said: “That’s one of the greatest rugby league plays you’ll see. Ben Hunt had no right to pluck that at point blank range. Outrageous focus and reaction.”

Channel 9’s Adam Jackson said: “After everything he’s gone through in his career Ben Hunt deserved that moment.”

Sports reporter Matt Bungard added: “Ignoring everything else, you’ve got to be happy for Ben Hunt. Treated like a punchline for years after the 2015 grand final, has had a blinding year so far and now gets that moment in #Origin - so stoked for him.”

Sports journalist Alexander Grant said: “What a moment for Ben Hunt. That's his new career legacy.”

Australian tennis player John Millman posted: “Ben Hunt should never have to pay for a beer again. Queenslander!!”

And just like that, no QLDer ever mentioned Ben Hunt's drop in the 2015 Grand Final ever again#Originpic.twitter.com/W9tJBbHtXw

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) July 13, 2022

Ben Hunt..

REDEMPTION

Your club might not forgive you but your state does #Origin

— QUENTIN HULL (@QuentinHull) July 13, 2022

Ben Hunt.

That's it. That's the tweet, the game, the series.#Origin

— 𝑫𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒆𝒏 𝑷𝒆𝒄𝒌 (@damopeck) July 13, 2022

If anyone deserved a magical moment, it’s Ben Hunt #StateofOrigin2022

— Michael Doyle (@MickDoyle94) July 13, 2022

Anyone else exhausted watching this? Ben Hunt with the play of the year #Origin

— John Hunt (@JohnHunt1992) July 13, 2022

Ben Hunt!!!! That grab is redemption for the 2015 GF … how good is #Origin

— Daniel Franklin (@DanFranklin21) July 13, 2022

Queensland legend Cameron Smith was in awe of Hunt’s “huge plays”.

“That 40/20 was unbelievable and the timing of it,” he said on Channel 9.

“This play I don’t know how he came up with the football in his hands. That short chip over the top and back himself to run himself home.”

Originally published as Ben Hunt finally gets ‘redemption’ with ‘unbelievable’ play in Origin decider