When the season is on the line, a relaxed confidence is usually a rare feeling to have around a team.
However, it’s a feeling which radiates off Hymel Hunt.
The nib Newcastle Knights centre summed it up in such fashion when quizzed on how he feels about the upcoming encounter with North Queensland.
“It’s obviously a do or die for us this weekend,” Hunt said.
“There’s no more excuses anymore, we’ve just got to get it done.
“We’ve just got to put our best foot forward and get the two points.”
The 25-year-old said the team is doing what it can to remain unaffected by media and fan attention surrounding the team’s last-ditch attempt to push for a top eight position.
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“I think you’ve got to try and get all the external noise out of the way because we’ve just got to focus on our role,” he said.
“Footy’s easy if everyone nails their role.
“That’s going to be my focus for this weekend, and I’m sure the boys will do the same.”
Reflecting on his own recent performances, Hunt said he is becoming more accustomed to his new role on the right edge.
“Going from left wing to right centre was hard, but I think I’ve been doing a pretty good job and doing the best I can,” he said.
“It was hard when we lost big Edrick (Lee to injury). He was a big signing to the club and one of our best players by far, especially on the wing.
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“But I’ve just got to put my best foot forward and do my best.”
Ahead of Saturday afternoon’s vital clash with the Cowboys, Hunt pointed to a few of the Knights’ tighter losses as a reason for fans to feel optimistic about the next month of football.
So far this year, the Knights have lost eight games by less than 10 points and Hunt believes things would look very different if a few results had gone the other way.
“I think on average it was 3.8 points we lost those by in those six games, besides the big two losses to the Roosters and Manly,” Hunt said.
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“I think if we won a few of those close games we’d be in a different position.”
With Saturday looming, Hunt’s confidence should put the minds of supporters at ease.
“As long as we keep staying together and competing, we’ll get the two points,” Hunt said.
