I support the Saints, an inherited birth right since 56′ and 66′ is indelibly stamped on my – soul. They are surely destined to march in again in 2009 if injuries dont have their measure.

Love the metaphors; well written and entertaining with your reverance to the games history in an era sadly lacking in tribalism, albeit the stuff that is corporately manufactured.

Thankyou.

Kelly’s short stature (and leanness) made him ideal to be a midfielder in aussie rules (and no doubt, the rugby codes would have toughened him up a fair bit as he was known for his courage).

Carey is the sort of build in player absolutely every AFL club longs to come across – the kind of build that says in big letters: KEY POSITION PLAYER!!!!!

My club, the bullies, haven’t had a key position player of note since Teddy Whitten hung up the boots in 1970 (although Kelvin Templeton did make the transition from full forward to centre half forward for one brownlow winning season).

(so were/are you from Southern NSW??)

Craig Bradley was an opening bat for South Australia, and he might have managed a game or two for Victoria at one point.

Going back further of course, Max ‘Tangles’ Walker was a shortish ruckman for Melbourne.

And further back to people like Keith Miller, Laurie Nash and even W.W.Armstrong.

(the very clearly distinct seasons in the past and no real options for playing ‘football’ overseas, saw many talented VFL/Aust Footy cross sports athletes – including many runners and Stawell Gift winners).

Also, a few kids in Darwin do likewise. Geelong premiership player Matthew Stokes was a talented junior at both.

Different types will gravitate to different games. Just as Kieran Jack from his background found he preferred playing footy to league, and perhaps by making that choice for himself rather than family – perhaps avoided a K.Hunt situation that has now eventuated. (not suggesting either that it won’t/can’t/doesn’t happen the other way too).

At any rate – it helps to underline the potential gain for the AFL with building a grass roots schools/auskick base in West Sydney – - long term investment.

Did Bradley play Shield?

I ask because I don’t know.

and to correct my earlier post it was the mid 70′s Graeme Hughes played Cricket for NSW and Rugby League for the Bulldogs.

Hunt obviously had multi code talent, and, it was known that he was stale where he was.

It may just be that he enjoys a more ‘free’ (dynamic) game to play.

ANd, as far as taking on a challenge – he’s got that coming.

Drop a couple of kg’s, improve his endurance.

Good luck to him. Another interesting story to follow.

The aspect of whether he was ‘poached’, ‘lured’, or, just ‘offered’. That’ll be twisted a bit to suit the various AFL and NRL agendas one suspects.

Many kids in Southern NSW grow up playing both games each weekend right up to their mid teens – in fact, in some towns, it’s almost the norm.

He’s signed a 3 year deal hasn’t he? 2 years in AFL getting back into the game he could do it. Don’t undervalue his abilities. His physicality will be something AFL doesn’t see now.

He’ll get a few games off the bench in 2011 to keep the crowds / interest / PR up, that’s all.

He’s a very good athlete, I wouldn’t rule out that happening…

It’s only a three year contract – but he’ll still be only 25 when it ends – so maybe he’s weighed it all up??

NRL for all it’s faults, allows players to earn a living elsewhere in the world, via playing in England in the ESL, or moving across to Union. AFL is a dead end career path if you can’t make the grade.

But same question – this guy can earn stacks of money anywhere – that’s the bit that’s not quite gelling in my mind at the moment.

SYDNEY, July 29 AAP – Manly coach Des Hasler says the AFL’s
capture of Brisbane star Karmichael Hunt should serve as a serious
warning to rugby league.
The NRL premiership-winning coach said Hunt’s decision to switch
codes could open the doors to more players joining the AFL if the
Queensland State of Origin star’s move is a success.
And with the AFL planning to launch a new team into the
traditional rugby league heartland of Sydney’s western suburbs,
Hasler said Wednesday’s news had lit the fuse for red-hot battle
between the rival codes.
“Here’s another career path for aspiring league players,” Hasler
said.
“Given that Sydney has a four-and-a-half to five-million
population, the outer west, where if another AFL side is
commissioned there, it just puts pressure … on our code,
particularly as far as recruitment is concerned.
“Sydney’s only going to grow west, just the population and the
number of young players that are out there, that are looking for a
career path in sport. It’s just another code to which you can
aspire.”
Hasler said Hunt was undoubtedly one of the most exciting
players in the NRL and the AFL’s decision to make a play for such a
high-profile star meant it was game on between the rival football
codes.
“It’s a real battle of the codes,” Hasler said.
“It’ll be interesting to see how it pans out.
“There’s been some talk in the papers of an NRL commission. I
hope that’s not too late because there needs to be some clear goals
or definite outlines on what they’re trying do as far as
recruitment and keeping young players interested.
“Maybe it’s time to look at places like Adelaide, look at places
like Perth. I just think now, with this (Hunt’s signing), that it
is well and truly gloves off.”

Will the GC really pay him $500,000 per annum just to run around the VFL for a season??

He’s going to go from someone at the very top of his sport, pursued by overseas clubs, to someone who will be lucky to be the 200th best player in a a domestic comp.

It’s a big, big decision on his part.

But it’s also fascinating – there’s a best seller brewing here!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkhX5W7JoWI

It’s big, big news – unbelievable news – right out of left field.

The question I have been asking is this: what’s behind his motivation???

I don’t often post in AFL threads and sorry Pip this has nothing to do with your article … but some huge breaking news.

http://www.leaguehq.com.au/articles/…546753089.html

Karmichael Hunt to join AFL

July 29, 2009 – 8:33AM

Brisbane Broncos rugby league star Karmichael Hunt is switching codes to play Australian football in a move that will rock the NRL to its foundations.

In an unprecedented cross-code switch, Hunt, 22, is to announce today that he is signing with the new Gold Coast franchise, which joins the AFL competition in 2011.

He will begin his new career with the Gold Coast franchise next year. The club is yet to commit to which competition it will play in next year before joining the AFL, but it is most likely to be the VFL competition.

It is the first time a rugby league international has switched codes to play Australian football.

The move will intensify the fierce turf war between the strongest football codes in Australia, with rugby league in danger of suffering further raids on its most talented players, especially if Hunt makes a successful transition.

Hunt is regarded as one of the brightest talents in the NRL. Fellow Test players Greg Inglis, Billy Slater and Israel Folau are other obvious targets for AFL clubs.

Hunt knocked back a $1.2-million three-year deal with the Broncos earlier this year and his manager David Riolo has been overseas looking at his options.

The news is a setback for South Sydney, which last week targeted Hunt as a possible replacement for Craig Wing whom they released so he could take up a lucrative offer with Japanese second-division rugby union franchise NTT Communications.

Hunt, who returns from injury for the Broncos in Saturday night’s match against Canberra, said he would announce his future after Origin III but had always indicated he was heading overseas to play rugby union.

Irish club Munster had recently been linked with him through his connections with their coach Tony McGahan, Hunt’s former high school coach.

French club Bayonne and Suntory in Japan were also believed to have expressed an interest in signing him, although former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones said last week that Hunt had priced himself out of Suntory’s reach.

A number of English Super League clubs are believed to have also made approaches.

Hunt played some Australian football as a schoolboy in Brisbane, attracting the attention of Queensland AFL scouts, before joining the Broncos as a 17-year-old in 2004.

The Auckland-born fullback has since played 10 State of Origin matches for Queensland and 11 Tests for Australia.

With Hunt’s Broncos contract up at the end of the 2009 NRL season, his future has been a hot topic in recent months.

Hunt will make his shock code-switch announcement at a press conference on the Gold Coast this morning.

See the Bombers fly up, up!
To win the premiership flag.
Our boys who play this grand old game,
Are always striving for glory and fame!
See the Bombers fly up, up,
The other teams they don’t fear,
They all try their best,
But they can’t get near,
As the Bombers fly up!

Glory and Fame MC, Glory and Fame.

Redb