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The Gold Coast’s Karmichael Hunt has had a solid AFL introduction, showing just enough to suggest he may prove the cynics wrong and make a career in a third code.
In a historic night at Blacktown Olympic Park, the Suns upset Sydney by three points in their first match in the pre-season cup before they knocked off Greater Western Sydney 0.8.4 (52) to 0.4.3 (27) to ensure a surprise spot in the quarter-finals.
The Swans had opened the night with a crushing 79-point victory over a goal-less GWS, but the Giants showed far more spirit in their second match, 12 months out from their AFL debut.
The Suns play their first game in the season proper against Carlton on April 3, and with the likes of Gary Ablett and Nathan Bock still to come in, they could prove a handful in 2011.
Without Ablett and marquee Giant recruit Israel Folau, the spotlight was on Hunt.
Starting at fullback and still carrying more bulk than a typical AFL defender, the former rugby league international showed reasonable aerobic capacity, albeit in games played over two 20-minute halves.
He had a steadying hand in the young Gold Coast backline, directing traffic and marshalling troops in an encouraging performance, finishing the game against Sydney with six disposals and three marks.
Hunt, who also had a brief stint in French rugby, then had a similar involvement in the second match and Swans coach John Longmire felt Hunt had shown glimpses of talent.
“I was probably more looking at our boys and seeing what they do, so I didn’t notice him a lot because I wasn’t looking for him to be honest,” Longmire said.
“But the times I saw him he did okay a few times.”
He also wasn’t surprised by the competitiveness of the Suns, saying they’ve got some “fantastic talent”.
David Swallow and Brandon Matera impressed for the Suns, while fellow youngsters Dylan Shiel and Jeremy Cameron showed good signs for GWS.
The AFL would consider the evening a success, with a full-house of 9447 people showing decent support for the Giants.
Hunt himself was fairly pleased with his performance, but knows he still has a long way to go to fulfil his potential.
“I did enjoy it, it’s been a long build-up but it was great to be out there finally,” he said.
“I guess I’m quite happy where I’m at, but I still have a lot of work to do.
“I’m just looking forward to starting training back and it’s on again next week.”
Most expected Sydney to progress comfortably straight to the quarter-finals, but instead it is the Suns who will face West Coast in Perth next week.
Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna, however, wasn’t surprised by his team’s performance.
“I thought our work-rate in the first game was excellent,” he said.
“The chemistry is going to be our greatest challenge, but I thought first-up everyone was on a high and then in the second game they were a bit flat, but still ran out on top.”
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