Andrew Johns believes Dragons captaincy the ‘shot in the arm’ Ben Hunt needs

Andrew Johns believes Ben Hunt’s appointment as Dragons captain is the “shot in the arm” the maligned halfback needs. 

But brother Matty Johns fears the signs point to the enigmatic million-dollar playmaker being unable to handle the pressure.

With incumbent captain McInnes going down with a season-ending ACL injury at training, just days after signing a long-term contract with Cronulla, Anthony Griffin has been forced to hand Hunt the reins three weeks out from season kick-off.

The extra responsibilities place further weight on the shoulders of Hunt, who has largely struggled to meet the expectations of being the Dragons’ marquee man since arriving in 2018.

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It comes after Hunt was dropped to the bench by former Dragons coach Paul McGregor last season after a poor start to the year, before returning to the starting side at hooker. 

Griffin has already taken measures to try and leverage Hunt’s game, giving him the assurance of being the club’s starting halfback this season despite his struggles in the No. 7 in the past.

While the recent signing of close friend and former Broncos teammate Andrew McCullough is seen as a direct tactic to try and take the load off Hunt and unlock his game.

Confirming Hunt’s appointment on Friday, Griffin described the decision as a “big ask” for Hunt given the pressure he was already under, but a necessary one. 

“I think it’s a really good thing for him at this stage of his career, because it will demand a lot of him in a number of ways,” the new Dragons coach told SEN.

“The really good players need that – they don’t need comfort zones, they need to be given an opportunity to unlock potential.

“I know the level he can get to, and the club has invested heavily in him over the last couple of years. No one more than Ben wants to repay that.”

Immortal halfback Andrew Johns echoed Griffin’s thoughts, but said Hunt relishing in the captaincy role would hinge on him finding a way to lead the side without being a natural game-manager.

“I like the decision,” he later said on SEN’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns.

“I think it just gives him a shot in the arm, and says ‘we’re going to back you’. Hopefully, he can get that confidence back.

“The way you coach Ben Hunt, he’s not a real game manager, or a passing or kicking halfback – he’s a runner of the ball. If there’s any space you tell him to run, simplify your game.”

Referencing his brother, Matty Johns described the signing of McCullough as “holding Ben Hunt’s hand”, questioning how he would then in turn handle the pressure of being club captain.

Johns subsequently raised concerns over whether Hunt possessed the mental toughness required to be captain.

“I’ve interviewed him a few times and the first thing you realise interviewing blokes is if they’ve got thick skin,” Johns said.

“One thing you see with Ben Hunt when he talks is he’s a lovely guy, but you can see he’s a sensitive guy.

“Speaking to guys who have coached him at rep level, they say the same thing.”

Sydney Morning Herald senior writer Andrew Webster agreed, questioning the timing of the captaincy given Hunt was entering the most important season of his career.

“This makes or breaks Ben Hunt’s career… because for all his talent, he takes a lot of the criticism to heart and that comes directly from the Dragons coaching staff,” Webster added.

“Now he’s taken on the captaincy, it’s going to be a big crossroads in his career.”