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Ben Hunt (rugby league)
Encyclopedia
Ben Hunt is an Australian rugby league footballer who plays for the Brisbane Broncos
in the NRL. Hunt also plays for the Central Comets
in the Queensland Cup
when not in the Broncos squad. A versatile player, Hunt has shown his ability at both Halfback and Hooker, often playing from the bench.
Hunt was selected in the Queensland Under-18 side to play in the curtain raiser to Game Two of the 2008 State of Origin series. In 2008, Hunt played for the Brisbane Broncos
in the inaugural season of the Toyota Cup, helping them reach the Grand Final only to lose to the Minor Premiers Canberra Raiders
28-24. A clear stand out performer for the Broncos, Hunt scored 166 points in 26 games, including 17 tries and 49 goals.
Hunt made his first grade debut with the Broncos as a nineteen-year-old halfback in a 12-46 thrashing at the hands of his boyhood team the Cronulla Sharks
in Round 15, 2009. He went on to play two more games that season in losses to both the Titans
and the Raiders
.
2010
was seen as a breakthrough season for Hunt, playing 19 games and even making a push for a starting position at dummy-half. After some impressive performances that included two tries, many were calling for Hunt to get a run as a starting Hooker. Although Hunt stayed as a bench player, he certainly demonstrated that he could be the Broncos' future Halfback.
After a shaky start to 2011
, Hunt regained his form with an impressive performance against Canberra.
(* denotes season still competing.)
which was the reason he supported the Sharks, the team he in fact made his debut against. Hunt has also stated Andrew Johns
as the player who most influenced his game.
He was also named in the 2008 Toyota Cup Team of the Year on the Interchange bench.
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
in the NRL. Hunt also plays for the Central Comets
Central Comets
Central Queensland Capras are an semi-professional rugby league football club based in Rockhampton, Queensland. They currently play in the Queensland Cup, the premier rugby league competition in Queensland....
in the Queensland Cup
Queensland Cup
The Queensland Cup is the premier rugby league football competition in the State of Queensland, Australia.It is a statewide competition with the majority of teams based in South East Queensland but also including sides based in Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton.The competition began in 1996 as a...
when not in the Broncos squad. A versatile player, Hunt has shown his ability at both Halfback and Hooker, often playing from the bench.
Early career
While attending St Brendan's College in Yeppoon, Hunt was placed on a scholarship with the Broncos. He achieved much while at St Brendan's College with the team reaching the Queensland final of the Arrive Alive Cup in 2007. Also during 2007, Hunt was selected for the Australia Schoolboys after a strong showing for the Queensland Secondary Schools Rugby League team during the A.S.S.R.L 2007 National Championships.Hunt was selected in the Queensland Under-18 side to play in the curtain raiser to Game Two of the 2008 State of Origin series. In 2008, Hunt played for the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
in the inaugural season of the Toyota Cup, helping them reach the Grand Final only to lose to the Minor Premiers Canberra Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
28-24. A clear stand out performer for the Broncos, Hunt scored 166 points in 26 games, including 17 tries and 49 goals.
Hunt made his first grade debut with the Broncos as a nineteen-year-old halfback in a 12-46 thrashing at the hands of his boyhood team the Cronulla Sharks
Cronulla Sharks
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales...
in Round 15, 2009. He went on to play two more games that season in losses to both the Titans
Gold Coast Titans
Gold Coast Titans are an Australian professional rugby league football club, based in the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club competes in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership. It is the newest of the sixteen clubs in the league, having commenced its...
and the Raiders
Canberra Raiders
The Canberra Raiders are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the national capital city of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. They have competed in Australasia's elite rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership since 1982...
.
2010
2010 NRL season
The 2010 NRL season was the 103rd season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the thirteenth run by the National Rugby League. The season commenced on 12 March and ended with the Grand Final, played on 3 October at ANZ Stadium...
was seen as a breakthrough season for Hunt, playing 19 games and even making a push for a starting position at dummy-half. After some impressive performances that included two tries, many were calling for Hunt to get a run as a starting Hooker. Although Hunt stayed as a bench player, he certainly demonstrated that he could be the Broncos' future Halfback.
After a shaky start to 2011
2011 NRL season
The 2011 NRL season was the 105th season of professional rugby league football club competition in Australia, and the fourteenth run by the National Rugby League. The NRL's main championship, called the 2011 Telstra Premiership due to sponsorship from Telstra, was contested by sixteen teams for the...
, Hunt regained his form with an impressive performance against Canberra.
Brisbane Broncos
| Season | Matches | Tries | Goals | F/G | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 2 | - | - | - | |
| 2010 | 20 | 2 | - | - | 8 |
| 2011* | 18 | 1 | - | - | - |
| Total | 40 | 3 | - | - | 12 |
(* denotes season still competing.)
Personal life
Despite growing up in Queensland, Hunt is a self proclaimed Cronulla Sharks fan. As a youngster he idolised Mat RogersMat Rogers
Matthew S. "Mat" Rogers is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. He also played rugby union at the highest levels, becoming a dual-code international. The son of the late Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks legend and CEO Steve Rogers, Mat played for the Sharks...
which was the reason he supported the Sharks, the team he in fact made his debut against. Hunt has also stated Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns
Andrew Gary "Joey" Johns is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. He was heralded as the world's best halfback for a number of years...
as the player who most influenced his game.
Achievements
Ben Hunt won the inaugural 2008 Toyota Cup Player of the Year.He was also named in the 2008 Toyota Cup Team of the Year on the Interchange bench.