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So one of two things has just happened – you clicked into this article too see what loony would defend Ben Hunt or you accidentally clicked the link and wanted to read the article below this one.
Either way prepare for a mind-altering discussion on that play in the Dragons vs Rabbitohs semi final.
If I’m the coach of the Dragons I would’ve been very nervous. A couple of minutes left and I’ve got Tariq Sims on the bench with a busted knee. Jack De Belin isn’t very mobile and Tyson Frizell is limping.
Souths have been walking through the defence in the last five minutes with ease. Going into extra time, not golden point, five minutes extra each way with walking wounded has me very anxious.
Souths back three drop back on the last tackle waiting for the big kick, so I’m delighted that my halfback Ben Hunt decides to take the game on.
He runs down the opposite side to where he would normally have been standing to make a deep kick and has the other play maker on his left in support.
Ben Hunt of the Dragons (AAP Image/Craig Golding)
Hunt takes it close to the line and passes to Kurt Mann, leaving an overlap of two unmarked Dragons ready to receive the ball.
However I’m stunned when Mann doesn’t pass the ball! It only needed a catch and pass and possibly we win the game, but no the played died there.
In the sheds I’m not blaming Hunt. I’m happy I had the vision to sign a halfback that has the courage to take the game on when the team really needed it.
The fact that so many people, including former players and media people, have hung Hunt out to dry over the result of the play has me dumbfounded. Hopefully all this unwarranted criticism doesn’t send Hunt into a shell next year.
We want players to have the vision, understanding and excitement factor to go beyond the so call ‘percentage plays’.
They did miss Gareth Widdop, because I’m sure in that play he would’ve got the ball to the outside. Mann will learn that mistake and be a better as well.
To sum up, a wise person once told me that the biggest failure is a failure to try. Hunt pulled out the right play for the right moment – it’s not his fault it didn’t come off.
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