Hunt shares top five Origin teammates ahead of 300th NRL game
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Ben Hunt is preparing to play his 300th NRL game when his St George Illawarra Dragons take on the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday.
Hunt's career, since debuting for Brisbane Broncos against Cronulla Sharks in Round 15 of 2009, has seen him play 187 games for the Broncos and what will be 113 games for the Dragons.
Wife Bridget Hunt said she was proud her husband had become the 46th person to reach 300 games.
"What a milestone," she wrote on Instagram.
"You have continued to show resilience and professionalism through the challenges and adversity you have faced during your long career.
"You are a great role model for our boys, the game and (you) inspire a lot of people.
"You are so loved by your teammates and all who have had the pleasure of playing with you.
"So proud. Always in your corner."
Hunt's career has also seen him excel for the Queensland Maroons in the State of Origin arena, including his epic try in last year's series decider.
Hunt, FOG #193, has played in 14 Origin games during his career so far; the first was in 2017. Ahead of his big NRL milestone, Hunt shared the five players he had most enjoyed playing Origin with.
"I'm going to get in trouble for this," he laughed.
"It's hard to get everyone in. So many good ones. But here we go."
Ben Hunt's top five Origin teammates
1. Cameron Smith
"I play a lot of hooker. How he played the game, he was the best in the world, that's ever played it."
2. Billy Slater
"Such a big leader and presence at the back. You always felt extremely confident when he was back there."
3. Daly Cherry-Evans
"He's obviously our captain, has been for most of the Origins I've played in. He's a real genuine leader and what Origin is about."
4. Josh Papali'i
"Big Papa, Papali'i. I just love being in camp with Paps, really. He's such a genuine bloke. Real kind-hearted man. A big soft teddy bear but you get him in the game and he just wants to kill people. I love that."
4. Dane Gagai
"Simply because he always rises to the occasion. He won the Wally Lewis Medal from the wing. That seems unheard of. Gags is someone, when you get him in that Origin arena, he's never going to let you down."
