Hunt's Dragon pressure nothing on Brisbane

Ben Hunt is the NRL's most under-pressure player as St George Illawarra try to reverse their form, but he insists this is nothing compared to what he's used to.

Ben Hunt is under the microscope with St George Illawarra enduring another end of season slump. (AAP)

He's the man placed firmly under the spotlight at the most under-pressure club in the NRL, but Ben Hunt insists he's felt it all before and worse while at Brisbane.

Brought to St George Illawarra on a lengthy $6 million deal at the start of the year, Hunt's form has largely represented that of the Dragons.

He was the NRL's best half while the Dragons were ladder-leaders in the opening half of the season, before he endured a difficult State of Origin campaign for Queensland and his performances have since suffered.

Never has the criticism been more scathing than this week after he failed to make a single run after five-eighth Gareth Widdop was injured in Saturday's 40-4 flogging to last placed Parramatta.

But after having been put through the wringer and battling for his No.7 jersey at the Broncos, Hunt said the pressure now wasn't such a big deal.

"I personally feel like there has been more spotlight when I was in Brisbane," Hunt said.

"Being a one-club town all the media up there is all just focused on the one team. You're sort of in the middle of it.

"Being down here it feels a bit more laid back with the spotlight. You get a little bit, but I feel like Brisbane is a lot more.

"I've always felt like I was pretty good at handling the pressure, and I always felt there was more pressure in Brisbane than down here."

The 28-year-old says he's ready to step up in the absence of Widdop, who is expected to miss at least three weeks with a shoulder injury.

With the lesser experienced Kurt Mann named alongside Hunt for Sunday's clash with the Wests Tigers - he'll haver to.

The pair have mostly only trained in the halves together during the pre-season, but now have just six days to prepare for one of the most important games of the Dragons' season.

"It's a big blow to the side with how good of a player Gareth is," Hunt said.

"But it's a bit of a challenge for myself personally - I've got to lead the team around a bit more now and step my game up a bit."