A day after Wayne Bennett declared him the bravest player he'd coached, Karmichael Hunt tonight served up a remarkable act of courage which effectively clinched a cherished victory for Brisbane.
Fullback Hunt, playing in his 100th NRL match, backed up coach Bennett's huge rap by fearlessly latching on to a Jarrod Mullen chip in the face of a major collision with Newcastle winger Wes Naiqama.
Not only did Hunt grasp the ball and survive in the big 61st-minute play, he slipped away from Naiqama and burst downfield through the Knights defence.
Last defender Steve Simpson took him in cover but was forced into a professional foul by holding the gun Bronco down in the ruck.
Referee Tony Archer had no hesitation but to sin bin the Knights second-rower.
With a one-man advantage, Broncos prop Ben Hannant scored from the next set of six, pushing the score to 16-2 and effectively ending the contest.
Hunt's act of bravery was one of three try-assists, to compliment his 43rd minute try in a wonderful man-of-the-match performance.
"You just wouldn't chip, would you," Bennett mused after the game.
"Fear is never going to stop him from attacking the ball."
Hunt said little went through his mind as he and Naiqama sprinted on to the bouncing ball.
"I saw the ball and went hard after it," he said.
"My main focus was the ball and I didn't see who else came through and what was going to happen. That's football."
Unsurprisingly, the 21-year-old denied he ever got scared on the field.
"I don't get worried at all," he said.
"If I'm going to get hurt like I said it's football. I just watch the ball and just go hard after it 100 per cent and if I get hurt or don't so be it."
