It was the moment that swept away any doubts about Ben Hunt and the criticism surrounding his market value. Fittingly, the much-maligned Maroons playmaker proved to be the match-winner Queensland needed to give Billy Slater victory in his first series as coach and finally put to bed the naysayers who have fed off some of the lower points of his career. The $1 million-plus-a-season player's redemption came full circle in the dying moments of the decider, "That 40/20 was unbelievable and the timing of it," Smith said on Nine's coverage before lauding the match-winning moment. "This play, I don't know how he came up with the football in his hands. That short chip over the top and back himself to run himself home." Hunt's improved kicking game is proof the halfback's confidence has returned after the forgettable moment in 2015, with Anthony Griffin's arrival at the Dragons leading to the captaincy and the No.7 jersey.Speaking after the match, Slater praised Hunt's impact on the game but also acknowledged his form in the Origin arena over the last few years. "He's been the Ron McAuliffe Medallist twice in the last three series before this one. He really earned that starting spot, even playing a different position than he does every week for the Dragons," Slater said. "He was out on his feet half way through that second half. He was one of those guys in the middle doing all that work and we needed to give him a rest. I feel if we didn't give him a rest he may not have got there in the end, but what a performance. "He's a great competitor. He's one of the greatest competitors our game has seen." Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans also paid Hunt the ultimate compliment, saying the star is one of the group's leaders.
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