Dragons’ $6 million man Ben Hunt immediately repaying faith with starring role in Red V debut

HE walked out on Brisbane to become St George Illawarra’s $6 million man. Now new Dragons halfback Ben Hunt has immediately shown his worth as he turned Broncos bad boy Matt Lodge’s return into a nightmare.

Ben Hunt starred in his debut for new club St George Illawarra

HE walked out on Brisbane to become St George Illawarra’s $6 million man.

And in the NRL’s much hyped season-opener last night, new Dragons halfback Ben Hunt immediately showed his worth as he turned Broncos bad boy Matt Lodge’s return into a nightmare.

An unsympathetic Hunt intercepted a loose Lodge pass in the 50th minute to run 45 metres untouched to score a vital try that propelled the Dragons to a thumping 34-12 win before 14,457 fans at Jubilee Oval.

The crowd broke into a stirring rendition of ‘When the Saints go marching in’ right on full-time as Hunt’s arrival ushered in a new era.

Hunt grubbered kicked for his side’s first try, scored the second and played a role in Saints’ third.

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Ben Hunt starred in his debut for new club St George Illawarra

Celebrating his runaway try, Hunt booted the ball out of the ground and into to nearby Jubilee Avenue.

It looked almost like Hunt heard a familiar call from his former team and swooped on the pass.

Lodge’s ill-fated delivery only added to an uncomfortable night, where he was jeered with each carry by the vocal crowd.

Hunt almost sealed the game in the 67th minute with a field-goal attempt that bounced back off the upright with his side leading 24-12.

He looked comfortable and composed and controlled the game beautifully. Hunt also kicked for 287 metres last night.

A try to Dragons centre Euan Aitken pushed his side out to a lead they weren’t going to surrender. Teammate Jack de Belin bullied his way over eight minutes from full-time to secure the win before winger Jason Nightingale flew over out wide.

Hunt made sure his old club were made to regret letting him part ways. Phil Hillyard

In the end, it was a robust and emphatic win over a highly disappointing Broncos team.

Victory must have been hugely rewarding and reliving for Saints coach Paul McGregor. It was the joint venture club’s 50th win at Jubilee Oval.

As is so often in round one, both sides were untidy and disjointed in the first half. By halftime, Brisbane had completed just eight of 16 sets.

It seemed as though Broncos coach Wayne Bennett was too busy blaming everyone else for the world’s problems rather coaching his football team ball control.

It certainly wasn’t an underwhelming start to the season but it wasn’t exactly overwhelming either.

It was however an emotional night at Jubilee Oval, rugby league’s field of dreams, with a moving pre-game tribute to the late Graeme Langlands, who passed away in January.

Ben Hunt turned Matt Lodge’s return into a nightmare

Langlands’ family and former Dragons teammates — including Billy Smith, Bruce Starkey and Steve Edge — attended the formal ceremony in the middle of his beloved Jubilee Oval.

Despite walking with the aid of a walking stick, the great Smith was still in good spirits.

Highlights of the Immortal Langlands were shown on the big screen., delighting to Red V fans. Many of the black and white highlights were from Langlands’ four grand finals win 1963, 1964, 195 and 1966 and Tests when representing Australia.

St George Illawarra retired Langlands’ famous number one for the game. Current fullback Matt Dufty wore jersey number 18 and looked dangerous with each carry.

By halftime, Brisbane had missed 15 tackles. Saints started to work their way into game late in the first half.

It seemed no-one wanted to score the season’s first try until Dragons forward Tyson Frizell finally stepped up. With 12 minutes remaining of the first half, Frizell followed through a Hunt grubber kick to score.

Hunt’s delightful kick came out of dummy half. Widdop’s conversion gave Saints a 10-2 halftime lead.

Brisbane hit back early in the second half through a try to centre James Roberts but the Dragons surged away later.

Controversial figure Lodge was whacked in his first hit-up by Dragons forwards Frizell and de Belin.

Lodge was jeered by the crowd each time in possession. He was penalised for a high tackle on Graham in the 13th minute and spilt the ball cold one minute later.

He was rested after 27 minutes before returning to the field in the 50th minute when he threw the horror pass to Hunt. It had been 984 days since Lodge had played NRL.

Originally published as Dragons’ $6 million man Ben Hunt immediately repaying faith with starring role in Red V debut