An honest Ben Hunt has made the surprising admission that he feels “frustrated” with his yo-yoing role at the Broncos this season.
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Hunt has essentially alternated between the starting side at the bench across the first four rounds.
In Round 1 and 3, the 36-year-old started in the halves and come off the bench for the other two games.
“I guess it’s frustrating in some aspects,” Hunt told reporters on Wednesday.
“I’ve done it before in the past throughout my career at different stages.
“I’m used to it and as frustrating as it is doing that, it’s something that, like I said, I’m used to and I just have to get on with it.”
There was a belief that Hunt would play predominantly hooker this season but Cory Paix, who this week signed a two-year extension, has started all four games at nine.
However, Hunt is making no secret of his desire to win that spot going forward.
“Mate, I’d hope it happens,” Hunt said of his hope to be Brisbane’s starting hooker.
“The way it’s going, I don’t know. We’ll have to wait and see.
“You know, I’m not the coach. I’m not in the performance staff and all that. I’m not pulling the strings. I’m just here to do my job and wherever I’m asked to go that week, I’ll go and do the best I can.”
It’s early in the season and in a team like the Broncos, who are under pressure more often than not, the line-up will be chopped and changed.
Hunt could end up in the No. 9 jersey down the track but given Paix’s strong start and the fact the Broncos showed their faith with an extension, it doesn’t appear it’ll happen anytime soon.
“(Hunt’s comments) took me a little bit by surprise. I imagine he would’ve thought he would be the starting hooker … He’s obviously annoyed by it,” journalist Brent Read said on NRL360.
“I’m not surprised,” Michael Carayannis added.
“Having rode the Ben Hunt rollercoaster when he was at the Dragons for three years, it was a similar thing when he was going to be shifted or move back to Queensland.
“He does speak his mind doesn’t he.”
Originally published as ‘Frustrating as it is’: Ben Hunt lifts lid on Broncos selection drama
