Matty Hunt plays 300 games for Ansett in Darwin league basketball

Some old school tough love during his junior days from his father provided the sturdy platform for a lengthy, title-winning career, Ansett skipper Matty Hunt says.

Some old school tough love from his father and junior coach Paul provided the sturdy platform for Ansett skipper Matty Hunt to reach the 300-league game milestone this weekend.

Hunt, who also played with the Darwin Salties in NBL1 North this year, hit the milestone in a Men’s Championship match against Ellas Titans on Saturday at Marrara — 19 years after he made his debut in the top flight as a 15-year-old.

The 34-year-old said his father – who guided him through juniors and his early days in seniors – had an old fashioned approach where games were never gifted and players were forced to complete brutal suicide runs if dedication was lacking.

“He was just really tough ... nothing was given,” Hunt said.

“You had to be on all the time otherwise you weren’t going to play, you weren’t going to go anywhere.

“It was much tougher back then ... some kids are cuddled a bit more these days.
“Basketball has changed so much, it’s so different to what it was.”

Matty Hunt has won three league titles during his career. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson.

He said moving to Adelaide to play with Sturt Sabres was also another eye opener, which made him realise how much work was still needed on his game.

It would lead to about 10 years away from the Territory, playing in both SA and Queensland.

However, he said learning from his father, and league coaches Paul Rowse (now the club’s president and family friend) and Steve Toohey, was integral to his development.

“I owe a lot to all three of those gentlemen. I’ve known them my whole life,” he said.

Hunt, who would go on to win league championships in 2012, 16 (“the toughest one to win”) and last year over Palmerston, judged best on court, remembers making his debut as a green teen for Ansett in 2003.

He said he and a few others were called up as the men’s division struggled with depth and lacked success.

“I wasn’t ready, it was a big step up,” he said.

“It was myself and a few others who were probably called up before our time.”

He said there’s wasn’t much trash talk spoken, but he was forced to earn every possession back in those days.

“It was more actions that did the talking back then … there wasn’t much crap being spoke”.

Ever the team man, Hunt had no idea he was reaching the 300-game mark, only told last week before Round 1’s eight-point win over Eagles.

Ansett captain Matty Hunt brought up the 300-game milestone against Ellas Titans. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson.

“It feels like it’s come around quick but at the same time it kinda hasn’t,” he said.

“The last few days it’s really hit with all the posts and all the love I’m receiving.

“It’s a great milestone but at the end of the day it’s just another game.

“Hopefully we can celebrate after.”

Meanwhile, Hunt said he would not be going around with the Darwin Salties next year, after only getting minimal minutes in two games during the franchise’s debut season.

Following an early season injury, and the birth of his first child in June, making it hard for him to get to training, it was a struggle at times but he wouldn’t change a thing.

“I loved every minute,” he said.

“It didn’t go personally I would have liked it to go ... for a number of reasons.

“I would have liked to have got the chance five to 10 years ago.

“But I loved what the community built in the first year, it’s only going to be stronger next year.”