Ben Hunt - Round 1-13, 2016

[pennywisealfie]

If you didn't watch the games and just read updates on BHQ, you would think Ben Hunt was playing like Paul Carige.

I've seen calls for him to go to Q Cup several times.

BHQ loves a good over-reaction.

 

[Rico]

He's doing ok for mine. This may sound a bit out there but he misses Hodgo in defence and attack on that right side. He used to attack form our own Half early in the count by running the ball after Hodgo dummy half run ...kicking needs to improve but our lack of red zone metres this year makesit bloody hard for him...just my 2 bobs worth

 

[_wwong]

He's doing ok for mine. This may sound a bit out there but he misses Hodgo in defence and attack on that right side. He used to attack form our own Half early in the count by running the ball after Hodgo dummy half run ...kicking needs to improve but our lack of red zone metres this year makesit bloody hard for him...just my 2 bobs worth

We all miss hodgo

 

[Rally Towel]

There has been a lot of criticism over Ben Hunt's form, a lot of people saying that he is out of form. Despite the fact that in 14 appearances, he has come up with 17 try assists, 4 tries, 14 linebreak assists, 8 linebreaks (the second most of any half in the comp), 26 tackle breaks and 14 offloads. If that's Ben Hunt out of form, opposition teams should be very afraid of him when he reaches his best again.


I thought I would make a video of his highlights in 2016 so far.

Fantastic stuff mate. Really enjoyed that one.

I do think Hunt cops more flak than he deserves. As the video shows he's creating and scoring plenty for us. I personally think his kicking game has improved this year by some margin, though it's still weaker than his running or passing (which are both great).

As many have pointed out, it's his ability to control the tempo of the game, and really assert control when we need it that's lacking.

I tend to agree it's a psychological thing, where he overplays his hand looking for a play that isn't there rather than playing the percentages (ala Cronk who's probably the best proponent).

In fairness, I think Milford should probably be under more scrutiny. When he's on point he's absolutely electric, but when he has an off night, he's far less of a contributor than Hunt.

I predict both are going to hit their stride in the later half of the season. Parker knows he's got to leave nothing in the tank. He'll lead. If our pack follows, there's nothing we can't do.

 

[Dexter]

Thanks for the video SF.

I get the feeling that Hunt has been told to concentrate on game management after not closing out last years GF. I would expect he will start running a lot more as we get into the back end of the season.

 

[Huge]

I like several facets of Hunts game and he is almost complete. There is no doubt we can win the comp with him . The only real concerns for me centre around his thought processes when under duress late in the game and a hot and cold kicking game. Until he proves his frailties have been overcome he will not rise to origin level and younger,less experienced half backs will be chosen before him. We won a gf with a modestly talented half back so the superior Hunt will be able to deliver unless it all falls on his shoulders, late in the game. A good front runner.

 

[mitch222]

I like several facets of Hunts game and he is almost complete. There is no doubt we can win the comp with him . The only real concerns for me centre around his thought processes when under duress late in the game and a hot and cold kicking game. Until he proves his frailties have been overcome he will not rise to origin level and younger,less experienced half backs will be chosen before him. We won a gf with a modestly talented half back so the superior Hunt will be able to deliver unless it all falls on his shoulders, late in the game. A good front runner.

Yeah but that halfback had a future immortal as his other halves partner who was one of the best in the business at closing games out

 

[Huge]

Yeah but that halfback had a future immortal as his other halves partner who was one of the best in the business at closing games out

That's true and it's possible that we will be able to say that about Hunt in the future. Milf may go on to emulate Locky. I'm hoping that we have enough composure in the halves should the games be tight but aside from last years gf failings I have never felt that Hunt has the champion mentality. I'm not slagging him off here, so few players are in the highest class and it's no fault of Hunts that he is not seen as a future immortal.

 

[lynx000]

I hope that the loss in that GF and how it occurred does not become the defining moment of his career and be brought up whenever anyone mentions his name like the Phil Sigsworth origin blunder. I hope he goes on to win us a couple of premierships, that he has an Origin and Aussie rep career and that GF just becomes a blip on the radar like Lockyer's test debut and Hodgo with his two bloopers in origin.