It could easily be argued Ben Hunt has been the most consistent State of Origin player of the last five years.
The veteran playmaker made his debut for Queensland in game three of the 2017 series and has never let the Maroons down since.
The decision to leave him out of the line-up for the 2021 series opener was dumfounding. The Maroons were thrashed, and Paul Green only lasted one series as coach before being shown the door.
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He’s been asked to play off the bench, in the halves, at hooker, and even as a floating middle forward and Hunt has stood up to the challenge every time.
On Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium he got his time in the sun.
It came in the dying minutes of the 2022 decider, when Hunt – who had come on to play dummy-half – bravely charged down a Nathan Cleary chip kick and managed to hold onto the intercept, before sprinting 70 metres to the tryline.
The Maroons had already been ahead by four points but that moment of Hunt magic sealed the incredible 22-12 victory.
“Oh, mate, when I caught it I was looking early and I was pretty happy it was a forward (Isaah Yeo) chasing me and little pig trotters had the distance,” Hunt told Nine’s coverage after full-time.
“As soon as I caught it you could just hear them roar. As a rugby league player there is nothing better, honestly.
“As a true Queenslander, I bloody love our fans and they turn up every year for us.
“It is what Queensland is all about hard work and really digging in when the backs are against the wall. We did it again it tonight.”
When asked how he planned to celebrate, Hunt answered; “A couple of beers you think”.
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