DARIUS Boyd believes Dragons $6 million man Ben Hunt has been mentally battered by criticism of his form and fears constant “negativity” is triggering depression among NRL stars.

Hunt faces one of the biggest tests of his NRL career this Sunday when the besieged Dragons halfback confronts his former Broncos teammates in a sudden-death final at Suncorp Stadium.

And Hunt’s return had a spicy preamble when he found an ally in Broncos skipper Boyd, who launched a stinging attack on critics for pushing the NRL’s biggest names to breaking point.

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media_camera Hunt has been the scapegoat for the Dragons’ slump. (AAP Image/Brendan Esposito)

Even a section of Dragons fans have lashed Hunt’s form slump over the past eight weeks, prompting the halfback’s wife Bridget to hit back a fortnight ago with a social media spray.

Boyd claims vicious public scrutiny was a factor in his decision to check into rehab in 2014 and he expressed concern at Hunt being hammered over his $1 million-a-season Dragons deal.

media_camera Boyd knows how harmful criticism can be. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

“It’s gone too far,” Boyd said.

“We have to constantly put up with negative people and naysayers. Ben will be doing his best to win the game for the Dragons … but there’s no reason for people to be bringing someone down.

“It’s not warranted in my opinion.”

media_camera Is one bloke responsible for the whole team? (Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Asked if the type of criticism being fired at Hunt was triggering mental-health issues for NRL players, Boyd said: “100 per cent.

“I struggled with depression years ago and it wasn’t just that, but it was a big part.

“I went to a mental health clinic, but it’s still not easy. I lost some love for the game this year, not so much the game itself, but just the negativity that comes with it.

“I don’t know if social media is a part of it but there is too much negativity in the game.

“The one thing I see … I do work around mental health and the kids bring up what people are saying about Ben Hunt. When it’s not constructive, kids still listen to it and believe it and talk about it.”

Hunt’s maiden season at the Dragons started so ominously that he clinched the Queensland No.7 jumper for Origin I.

But since his axing to the bench for Origin III, Hunt has lost his playmaking mojo at club level, his slide mirroring a Dragons side that has lost six of its last nine games.

Boyd says Hunt shouldn’t be crucified for accepting a five-year deal from St George Illawarra which changed the financial landscape for NRL stars.

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“In my opinion, we do the best we can in life and if someone wants to pay you what they pay you, well congratulations, you are successful, you are doing well,” Boyd said.

“It’s up to the employer, it’s not up to (Hunt).

“Just because we are in the public spotlight, we shouldn’t cop it (over their salaries).

“You can tell someone how they can be better or how they can improve constructively, but you don’t need to tear someone to shreds.”

media_camera Gareth Widdop is backing his Dragons teammate. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Dragons scrumbase partner Gareth Widdop, who returns this week from a shoulder injury, backed Hunt to fire against his former club.

“Ben Hunt is getting the blame as the No.7, but it’s on 17 blokes to go out there and we haven’t been doing it as a team,” he said.

“Ben has been good this year, he has played at the highest levels of the game. His control and his running game has been good.

“When your pack isn’t performing and you are playing off slow play the balls, it’s always difficult for the halfback, but it’s a new competition and we have to be up for it.”

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