St George Illawarra Dragons prop Dan Hunt will make his milestone 150th first-grade appearance at the local derby against the Sutherland Sharks at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Saturday.
The Dapto Canaries junior made his first-grade debut in the opening round of the 2007 campaign and has since earned representative selection into the NSW Country Origin team (2011) and Prime Minister’s XIII (2012).
Hunt, 27, is part of a 19-man squad named by Head Coach Paul McGregor for the local derby against the Sharks which will see both teams competing for the Monty Porter Cup.
“I am proud to be reaching such a great personal milestone especially with my childhood team that I grew up supporting,” said Hunt.
“The local derby is always an exciting match for not only the players but supporters too and we cannot wait to take to the field for it.”
The Monty Porter Cup pays tribute to the achievements of a player with strong associations to both Clubs and is contested each time the Clubs meet.
Porter was a second-rower who played 113 first-grade games for the Red V during his eight seasons with the Dragons (1958-65), winning six Premierships during that time (1958-60; 1962-64).
The second-rower left the Dragons in 1965 and went on to become the inaugural captain of the Sharks upon their inclusion into the NSWRL in 1967.
1. Adam Quinlan
2. Peter Mata’utia
3. Josh Dugan
4. Gerard Beale
5. Jason Nightingale
6. Gareth Widdop
7. Benji Marshall
8. Ben Creagh (c)
9. Mitch Rein
10. Dan Hunt
11. Leeson Ah Mau
12. Joel Thompson
13. Trent Merrin
14. Tyson Frizell
15. Jack de Belin
16. Mike Cooper
17. Bronson Harrison
19. Shane Pumipi
20. Will Matthews
The Dragons will consider its position on hooker Mitch Rein’s Grade 1 "Dangerous Throw" charge and have until midday Wednesday to enter a plea to the NRL Match Review Committee.
Unavailable: Dylan Farrell (Pectoral Muscle-Round 18); Brett Morris (Shoulder-TBC); Kyle Stanley (Hamstring-Round 14); Jack Stockwell (Foot-Round 14); Sam Williams (Thumb-TBC).
