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Value for money: Karmichael Hunt leaves a nasty legacy at the Suns

Karmichael Hunt took drugs because he wanted to, that's hard to prevent. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Roar Rookie
29th June, 2015
15

On the July 29, 2009, Karmichael Hunt shocked Aussie Rules and rugby league fans alike by announcing he was switching codes, moving from the Brisbane Broncos to the Gold Coast Suns on a deal reportedly worth $1 million a season.

During his short yet eventful AFL career, Hunt demonstrated plenty of promise.

Following a 16-disposal performance, North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said, “Anyone who has criticised Karmichael Hunt over the journey should be eating their words and should be apologising to him because, on that performance, he’s a bona fide AFL midfielder.”

Hunt also scored an after-the-siren winner against Richmond to secure the Suns’ first win of the season in 2012. That was spine tingling for all.

Hunt’s performances ultimately didn’t justify his price tag – they were never going to. The Suns and Andrew Demetriou knew the money wouldn’t reflect through on-field performances, but were hoping such funds would be worth it to the club and code’s presence in the rugby league state.

While initially Hunt’s signing was successful for the code due to an increased interest, the latest drug scandal has diminished his value significantly. After reportedly implicating numerous former teammates, the Suns is a club in dire straits only years into their existence.

The AFL and the Suns paid millions of dollars for a player whose last season was spent in the reserves, and ultimately divided the senior team.

“All but two players used the cocaine. I met with (the dealer) at Domino’s Pizza on the Gold Coast Highway at the end of Miami, start of Broadbeach,” Hunt told police officers, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

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“I was with (a player) and we chipped in about half the money each as the cocaine was for both of us… We would play golf and drink throughout the day. At night we would drink alcohol and use cocaine. I was vaguely aware that most people there were using the cocaine at nights.”

With Hunt gone the Suns now sit on the bottom of the ladder at 1-11 with a worrying divide within the playing group. Such poor culture for a team only just beginning its history; and the million-dollar man who was supposed to represent and support the growth of the club and the code was at the centre of it.

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