Sep 8th, 2018

Sep 8th, 2018

Wayne Bennett has no sympathy for maligned St George Illawarra halfback Ben Hunt, saying any player who reads social media criticism is a fool.

All eyes will be on Hunt when the former Brisbane No.7 runs out onto Suncorp Stadium for the first time as a Dragon in Sunday's NRL elimination final.

The Dragons playmaker was already feeling the heat, copping vile social media abuse as the scapegoat of the early ladder leader's late season slide to seventh.

The trolling got so bad Hunt's wife Bridget recently publicly hit out at the "despicable bullying".

Even Brisbane captain Darius Boyd threw his support behind his former teammate, describing the criticism as "terrible".

But there was no love from Bennett who added extra spice to their knockout final with a dig at his former charge.

Asked about Hunt's plight, Bennett said: "If you are a football player and you read social media then you really are a bit of a fool.

"I can't have any sympathy on the social media stuff. He doesn't have to read it, that is my point."

Bennett believed the return of skipper Gareth Widdop (shoulder) to the halves would help Hunt spark a Dragons outfit that will be without Euan Aitken (hamstring).

NSW lock Jack de Belin has been named in the starting line-up despite battling an ankle complaint.

St George Illawarra have not won at Suncorp Stadium since 2009.

Brisbane - who finished sixth - have emerged as dark horses after three straight wins but will have to defy injury and history to break their 12 year premiership drought.

Backrower Alex Glenn (calf) was ruled out, replaced by teenager David Fifita, while it emerged the Broncos have never made a grand final from sixth place.

Ahead of his 65th finals game, Bennett balked when asked if he had a premiership team but said the signs were good after enduring a season of off-field distractions.

Players have rallied around Bennett in the messy fallout over the Broncos board's decision to reject the foundation coach's request to stay on in 2020.

"There are a lot of good signs there. They are playing for each other," Bennett said.

"They have been through a fair bit this year and they have managed to show us what they can do."

Hunt may disagree but Dragons coach Paul McGregor claimed all the pressure was on Brisbane on Sunday.

But Bennett responded: "I don't feel that. We are playing a home semi-final. It is something we should be enjoying."

Bennett played down concerns for winger Corey Oates (calf) and forward Tevita Pangai (hamstring).

STATS THAT MATTER

* The Broncos have won the past 10 matches against the Dragons.

* The Broncos have won their past seven finals at Suncorp Stadium.

* The Dragons are playing their first finals series since 2015 and only second in seven seasons.

©AAP2018