THIS year they will be rivals for the Queensland No.7 jersey, but Ben Hunt has turned to Cooper Cronk for career advice as the battle for the Maroons’ No.7 jumper intensifies.

Cronk may not realise it, but Queensland’s pre-eminent halfback has become more a help than a hindrance in Hunt’s quest to call the shots in Maroon colours.

Australia’s Four Nations tournament at the end of last year gave Hunt the perfect platform to watch the Maroons halfback master in action.

From close quarters, Hunt digested Cronk’s professionalism, with the month-long campaign giving the Broncos playmaker ample time to pick his brain on what it takes to be a representative halfback.

A bench player at Brisbane for five years, Hunt capped a dream 2014 season by clinching the Broncos’ No.7 jumper before being added to Queensland’s extended squad for Origin II.

By season’s end, Hunt’s head was spinning after making his Test debut against England. And while Cronk has a stranglehold on the Queensland No.7 jumper, Hunt has joined Daly Cherry-Evans in the queue to one day succeed the Storm shot-caller.

“I definitely feel it (playing for Australia) will help me for next season,” Hunt said.

“It’s been the best season of my career this year so being around players like Cooper Cronk in the Four Nations, hopefully it can boost me again next year.

“Cooper has been a huge help for me. He might not know that, but just watching him around training, watching what he does and how he handles himself, the little things they do really rub off on you.

“Professionalism is one big thing. Some of the guys in the Australian set-up are the most professional guys I have seen in my life and Cooper is right up there.

“I play a different style to ‘Coops’ but if you can take little parts of his game and mould them into your game it’s only going to help.”

While Hunt finished equal fourth in Dally M voting last season, the 24-year-old says he has only scratched the surface of his talent.

“I definitely think there is room for improvement,” said Hunt, who was placed on standby for Cherry-Evans for Origin II in 2014.

“I still think I had an inconsistent year, I would have a couple of good games and then a bad game here and there so the main thing I want to improve is being consistent week in, week out and play some good footy.”

Hunt is also primed to establish a slick pairing with Broncos recruit Anthony Milford in what could be a glimpse of Queensland’s future scrumbase combination.

Milford represented the Queensland under-20s Origin team last season at five-eighth and Hunt believes their union at club level can be mutually beneficial.

“I definitely feel Anthony will help me next season,” he said.

“My attitude will be … just get him the ball.

“I feel like my role as halfback will be to lead us around and organise the team and it’s my plan for Anthony if he sees an opportunity to get him the ball and chime in when he sees it.

“I don’t mind if he overcalls me at all. If he sees something and he wants the ball, definitely I’ll be giving it to him.

“I think that’s where we fell down (last) season, we missed a few attacking opportunities. If there is any time in the game where ‘Milf’ wants the ball, I need to get it to him because he’s a special talent.

“I’m extremely excited at our combination. I’ve only seen a few games of Anthony this year, but from what I saw he was an absolute talent.

“The more we can get him the ball and get him looking at some different shapes and structures, it’s going to help our team and open the field up.

“Having more of an attacking option outside me will take the pressure off me as well.”