RUGBY LEAGUE
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They've sorely missed his on-field contribution in a run of seven straight losses but Dragons skipper Ben Creagh says the retirement of long-time teammate Dan Hunt will mean a lot less laughs in the dressing room.
Hunt announced his retirement on Thursday at just 29 after succumbing to a chronic knee injury.
Creagh played with Hunt for his entire 150-game NRL career and said no player was more well-liked than the man affectionately known as "Bubsy".
"He's a big personality that's going to be missed around the sheds," he said.
"Whenever times were tough or the mood was a bit stressful, he was always the one to lighten the mood and bring a bit of fun to a place.
"That's really important for a footy side or any team in general. It was great having Bubs in the shed for a long time and whoever comes in to be that guy next has some big shoes to fill."
While he'll be remembered as a joker, Creagh said Hunt's on-field ability won't be forgotten by those who played with him; only injury preventing him from claiming higher representative honours
"There were a number of years there where he was training hard, playing well and biding his time but unfortunately injuries just hit at bad times," Creagh said.
"He had that Achilles injury [in 2010] which is one of the worst you can have and this knee injury is career ending.
"Some of the time he's been through with injuries have ben tough but to come back from that and play the way he has ... he's a pretty special player and a pretty special guy," Creagh said.
"He's an extremely tough player and one of the hardest trainers I've played with. He's really pushed me along over the years. I'm not sure if he knows that, but we've trained together a lot and he was always giving 100 per cent and I was always keen to beat him. To play 150 games for the club is pretty special."
Coach Paul McGregor has known Hunt since he was a teenager and admitted the big prop's experience would have been a huge boost if he could've made it back on the field this year.
"Dan's an experienced player, 150 first games, and unfortunately he got injured in the Nines and hasn't been able to recover and has been forced to retire," McGregor said.
"He was someone we depended on at the start of the season with that experience but he hasn't been able to play and it's disappointing for Dan to not be part of the team this year as far as playing.
"That was forced and unfortunately, for everyone, your times comes to an end.
"He's been a great ambassador and certainly a great player. When you look at the position he plays, not many have played that many games in the jumper, so he's got plenty to be proud of."