Fans rip on Jack de Belin’s not so ‘top’ knot

WE came to watch his performance as Benji Marshall’s replacement, but we stayed to marvel at Jack de Belin’s shocking haircut.

THE talk of Friday night football this week was the shock last minute omission of Benji Marshall from the Dragons line-up as they took on the Broncos in Brisbane.

Marshall allegedly failed to overcome a hamstring strain, forcing him to pull out of the Round 23 clash.

However it was Benji’s replacement that turned heads, as regular prop/lock Jack de Belin was called up to fill the halfback spot. Standing 188cm tall and weighing in at a lean 102kg, the 24-year-old is a mammoth of a ballplayer.

NRL Immortal Wally Lewis described him as potentially “the biggest halfback we have seen,” and he may very well be right.

If de Belin’s stature wasn’t enough to make him stand out in the first receiver role, his haircut certainly made sure he was not missed — least of all by fans on Twitter.

Only one thing more ridiculous than Jack De Belin playing half-back. His do. #NRLBroncosDragons pic.twitter.com/fj6uuamWFa

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) August 14, 2015

OFFICIAL: Jack De Belin - worst ever haircut and world's biggest halfback #NRLBroncosDragons

— UBET (@UBET) August 14, 2015

Lovin' the hair cut Jack! Brings tears to the eyes... 😂😂😂 #NRLBroncosDragons pic.twitter.com/OhVV8NeLqm

— TAB (@tabcomau) August 14, 2015

Surely Jack De Belin should be referred straight to the judiciary for that hairstyle? #NRLBroncosDragons #MustHaveLostBet

— Marko Milinkovic (@AusLoafer) August 14, 2015

Jack DeBelins hair looks awesome......said nobody ever. #NRLBroncosDragons

— gary r (@gary67r) August 14, 2015

Jack De Belin's hair proudly brought to you by the Genie. #WWOS #NRLBroncosDragons pic.twitter.com/DriXN3nUoB

— Adam Dean (@_MidniteRambler) August 14, 2015

The only thing that makes Jack De Belin a half is that he has half a haircut. #NRLBroncosDragons

— The Full 80 Podcast (@TheFull80) August 14, 2015

Unfortunately, de Belin’s debut in the halves didn’t go quite to plan, as the Dragons went down to a dominant Brisbane side by 32-6.

The Broncos will hold on to the NRL top spot for at least another week after the six-tries-to-one win, which ends a two-game losing run.

The ‘de Belin experiment’ failed to pay dividends, as the Dragons dominated territory in the first half only to come off the field 16-0 behind at the break.

The Broncos, who only had 11 tackles inside the Dragons’ 20 in the first half, made the most of every trip through tries to Jordan Kahu, Lachlan Maranta and Anthony Milford.

The Dragons came closest when Kahu dithered over a kick in-goal but winger Justin Hunt somehow overshot the ball as he attempted to pounce on it.

A double to Broncos halfback Ben Hunt in the second half sealed the points as coach Wayne Bennett claimed just a second win in 14 matches against his former club.

A late consolation try by Justin Hunt at least limited the damage to the Dragons’ percentage as they battle to stay in the top eight.

St George Illawarra also lost captain Ben Creagh after he failed a concussion test at half-time and had to sit out the rest of the match.

— with Ed Jackson, AAP

Originally published as Fans rip on Jack de Belin’s not so ‘top’ knot