Ben Hunt didn’t want to be in millionaires club, so he’s got sympathy for Luke Brooks

Hunt is in the upper echelon of NRL earners – alongside the likes of Daly Cherry-Evans, Kalyn Ponga, David Fifita, Nathan Cleary, James Tedesco , Jason Taumalolo and Tom Trbojevic – yet there was a time when he wanted to make much less.

However, after starring against the Roosters in an Anzac Day boilover, Hunt said he is finally accepting the scrutiny attached to his pay packet after his high-profile switch to the Red V from the Broncos.

“I’m over it now, but it was pretty frustrating to be honest. You’re only worth what someone is willing to pay you.”

Ben Hunt

“I’m over it now, but it was pretty frustrating [initially] to be honest,” Hunt said. “You’re only worth what someone is willing to pay you.

“I understand that if you’re getting paid that, everyone is expecting you’ve got to deliver every single week and turn up and play great footy. But when you strip it back, you’re not the only player on the field.

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“There’s been periods over the last couple of years where I felt like I didn’t even want to play any more. I thought, ‘I’ve had enough’. You just get over it.

“But it’s always in the back of your mind: ‘I just love footy. I want to play, so why would I stop playing?’ When it gets relentless, and I’m sure it got like that for Brooksy for quite a while, you start second guessing yourself.”

Hunt might be in the twilight of his career, but has no plans to hang up the boots when his Dragons deal concludes at the end of next year.

St George Illawarra have nursed young playmakers Junior Amone and Jayden Sullivan through their system, but Hunt is ready to kick off contract talks for beyond 2023.

“I don’t feel like I want to be finished any time soon,” he said. “I’m always getting asked the old Redcliffe question and I guess it’s understandable. I’m enjoying myself here at the moment and I’ve still got 18 months left, and I’m sure conversations will start in the next couple of months.”

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