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Code-hopper Karmichael Hunt has been elevated to AFL club Gold Coast’s leadership group, while Campbell Brown has been removed.
Inaugural skipper Gary Ablett retained the captaincy, with experienced defender Nathan Bock vice-captain, in an announcement by the Suns on Saturday.
Michael Rischitelli replaced former Hawthorn hard man Brown as deputy vice-captain.
Brown was stripped of that role after being involved in a bar brawl during a post-season trip to Thailand.
The defender, who also copped a four-week suspension last season, was left out of the seven-man leadership group entirely.
Rugby league convert Hunt was one of three newcomers, along with 2010 No.1 draft pick David Swallow, whose brother Andrew is North Melbourne’s new skipper, and ex-St Kilda recruit Andrew McQualter.
Zac Smith is the other member.
Hunt, 25, played 16 AFL games last season, mostly in defence, but is set to move into the midfield this year.
Ablett said Hunt had taken giant steps over the off-season.
“The amount he’s improved from last year to this year has been incredible but it’s no surprise,” Ablett told the AFL website.
“He’s one of the hardest workers at the club, he’s always doing extras.
“It’s good to see him playing the kind of footy he’s playing and it’ll be great to see him running around in the midfield this year.”
© AAP 2012Recommend this story.
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The Crowd Says (3) | Page 1 of Comments
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February 19th 2012 @ 8:18am
Redb said | February 19th 2012 @ 8:18am | Report comment
Good to hear of Hunt’s development the proof will be how he performs in the Suns first Nab Cup game.
February 19th 2012 @ 9:51am
The Cattery said | February 19th 2012 @ 9:51am | Report comment
I think it’s the playing group that has voted him in, so kudos to him that he has earned that respect from his team mates. His work ethic and professionalism are second to none, so it’s well deserved. I think he has signed a contract extension, which allows him now to keep focusing on improving. His second full season in the AFL should be an interesting one.
February 23rd 2012 @ 2:49pm
The_Wookie said | February 23rd 2012 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
Just on this – the AFL have recontracted Karmicheal Hunt – this almost certainly will see him at the Suns.
“Hunt’s new deal will again earn him about $1 million a year for seasons 2013 and 2014 but the percentages of where the money comes from in his complex salary arrangements could alter slightly.
The Suns paid Hunt an average AFL wage of about $250,000-$300,000 in that initial deal and topped it up with an ASA (Additional Services Agreement).”
ref:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-has-agreed-to-re-contract-karmichael-hunt-as-an-ambassador/story-e6frf9jf-1226279513624