“I’d encourage the board to really just back him,” Hunt said. “There’s nothing worse than being in the situation we are now,where everyone is coming for your head and you’ve got the board second guessing the coaching staff. You need to be all in. You’ve got to back your guy.

“At the end of the day,if you get to the end of the season and it hasn’t worked out then make your decision. Don’t get five,six,seven or eight games in and start second guessing what we’re doing because then everything will really turn to s---. I’d encourage them just to back us.”

Hunt will combine with yet another halves partner when Jayden Sullivan steps into the breach for the round two clash against the Gold Coast at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Sunday night.

He’s been tried predominantly with Gareth Widdop,Corey Norman and Amone during his stint with the Dragons,producing a career best year when third to Nicho Hynes and James Tedesco in last year’s Dally M count.

“I had a great year,but I wouldn’t say I carried the team on my shoulders,” he said. “We had some guys that played some really good footy last year that didn’t get recognised enough.

“Jack Bird played like six positions for us last year and gave his all every single game,Blake Lawrie was one of our best every single game,Moses Suli until his injury was one of the buys of the season.

“I know 90 per cent of Australia are saying that[we won’t do anything this year],but I don’t feel that. I feel like we’re heading in the right direction and another year for our young guys,a bit more experience for them and a couple of young guys we’ve brought in.”

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