Queenslanders Scott Prince (left) and Karmichael Hunt (centre) embrace after the final whistle of the NRL State of Origin match between Queensland and New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Wednesday, June 11, 2008. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
I may have not played the elite level that Karmicheal Hunt has experienced so far in his sporting career, but I can tell him what to expect in terms of the difficulties and experiences that come along when changing to AFL from a rival code.
I completed the same experience, be it on a smaller scale, in my time as a representative football player (soccer) and made the decision to play AFL in the Sydney AFL competition.
Sensing that my dream of playing professional football was dying and that I was only going to be above average at best (like so many others), I decided to make the transition.
Like Hunt, when changing codes, I had already had some experience with AFL. Like Hunt, I had played some games (4) of AFL at schoolboy level, included alongside a healthy knowledge, interest and following of the sport courtesy of a Victorian parent.
If I was not kicking a football around the backyard, chances are a Sherrin was not too far away.
But even without being a complete amateur at the game, the challenges are huge, and in Hunt’s case, magnified 10-fold to those I experienced given that he will be competing on the elite level alongside Brownlow medalists, 300-gamers and icons of the sport.
I thought I would give the readers some indication of the problems I faced in my changeover and the possible challenges facing Karmichael Hunt.
1. Physicalness
I have played all codes at some point in my time, be it competitively or at schoolboy level, and AFL is by far the most physical. But before you rugby league followers stick the knives in, consider this: in league, the defence is generally front on. You can anticipate the defence and brace for the impact.
In AFL, you can be hit from all angles: front, side and behind. And you can’t anticipate or brace for the impact. Furthermore, in AFL you can be bumped when not in possession of the ball (as long as you are within 5 metres of the ball), again showing the importance of constantly having your wits about you.
And non-AFL fans can only imagine what goes on at the bottom of those packs (i.e. elbows and forearms) before the umpire scampers over and calls for a ball-up.
I found myself coming from the ground having played my first AFL game with two deep corks and a greater respect for the code.
2. Fitness
Karmicheal Hunt’s body at the moment is designed to withstand the brutal collisions that are so constant in a game of rugby league, both in attack and in defence.
Not only will Hunt have to withstand these in AFL, but he will also have to possess an AFL engine.
AFL players are known to run around 20-30km per game, but this is not the hard part. Fitness will come the more games Hunt plays.
What will be the hardest challenge will be the decision-making when under fatigue. The mental strength for the constant decision-making and disposal after disposal when out on your feet, the need for composure coming out of your back half, or hitting the right target in the forward fifty is the hardest skill to acquire and the most foreign to Hunt’s experience in rugby league.
3. Kicking
It may sound stupid, but this is another extremely challenging skill, particularly for rugby league players.
I was told by an AFL coach in the early stages of my crossover to the game that football (soccer) players find it the easiest to crossover, given their balance on the ball.
He found rugby league players tended to “fallover” when they kicked (fall to one side) and therefore not direct the ball in its chosen path.
Furthermore, the around the corner style that is common in rugby league is another problem that needs to be overcome. Muscle memory and natural instinct is the hardest to coach out of a player or overcome.
In AFL, with kicking in general play but more importantly kicking for goal, it is vital that your body stays aligned, that you hold your form, stay balanced, and kick through the ball.
AFL coaches admit this is the hardest skill to teach as old habits continue to hinder the technique of cross-code players. And, in my experience, it was something I struggled with due to my natural footballing instinct.
But over time it can be overcome.
4. Vision
This is another skill that Karmichael Hunt will find challenging. In the NRL, generally players can see the play unfolding purely in front of them – be it a target in defence, a hole in the defensive line, or identifying a kicking option.
In AFL, it couldn’t be any different.
In AFL, your peripheral vision is your best friend. Not only will it help you evade opposition defenders that can smash you from all angles, but it is important when linking with your wide players and switching play or players coming through the corridor for the hand pass: all equally important skills with the popularity of flooding now in the game along with the faster ball movement and pace of the game year upon year.
Players are under more pressure to move the ball faster, and therefore it is equally important to know not only where you are on the ground, but what players you have at your disposal in front, behind and to the side.
Vision is a super-important skill.
5. Complexities
These are the skills that new players to the code have the most difficulty with and these are skills in which AFL players do not even consider. They come naturally.
Take an example from my experience.
In football, you are taught to defend “goalside” or behind an opponent. In AFL, you defend from in front.
Simple as it may sound, it is not something that can be coached out of someone overnight. Natural instinct and muscle memory are strange things.
Hunt will need to learn the complexities of zone defence, putting a block on, playing from in-front, switching the play, a centre bounce setup, flooding, the subtleties of leading, tagging, playing through the corridor and other skills that most AFL players and coaches do not give a second thought to.
To new players of the code, these can only be learned in time and with experience. It comes down to eroding the natural instincts and muscle memory Hunt has built up over the years that he has played rugby league.
I found myself five years into an AFL career and still not feeling that everything was entirely natural.
NRL players have tried to make the transition before: NRL player Luke Phillips, then at the Sydney Roosters, spent some time trialling with the Sydney Swans in the 1990s.
Phillips was released after just a pre-season.
Media reports yesterday morning linked the experience of Kieran Jack to that of Karmicheal Hunt and using Jack as vindication that Hunt could be a succsess.
Kieran Jack, however, took to AFL as a 15 year-old and had seven years in the game before he was picked up by the Sydney Swans.
Karmichael Hunt will have 18 months, 12 of which, if reports are correct, will see him play yet another new code in rugby union.
Karmicheal Hunt will undertake a journey like no other and I think it’s a journey that will see many non-AFL fans go along for the ride.
If Hunt is a success in his new game, his recruitment would have to be considered as the biggest coup in Australian sport due to its effectiveness on-field and off.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Capt Agree 100% that physicality is the least of Hunt's problems (absolute non issue for him). In my blog on this subject - I've made the point that it's the instinct for the game that will be missing. His kicking is also not at AFL standard - but he has a couple of years to tweak that - there are a few players from a rugby background who have been able to develop a decent kick over a three or four year period (people shouldn't jump up and down at this comment - in AFL, the kicking demanded is of a very different sort than is found in the rugby codes - and it's part and parcel of the game - so players have to do it to a very high standard consistently). Tom Williams isn't too bad, having started off a low base, but he too is still developing smarts, which will come. Keiran Jack has had a lot longer in the game - his kicking is pretty good (left footers are always a natural). But make no mistake - Hunt will have to work his arse off to just get past first base.
captain nemo
Roar Guru
I say good on Hunt for looking after his own interests first. I'm sure there are plenty of agendas in Hunt being offered the contract but so what, Hunt get the chocolates no matter how he performs. This guy has more sporting ability in his little finger than most of us on here so I say good luck. If he fails, you can't knock him for trying!!!! I don't know how many other "A-list" rugby, league or AFL players would swap to a completely different sport at the height of their career. Adam, good article mate but i will disagree on your points regarding physicallness. Not going down the path of saying which sport is tougher etc (its been done to death), but instead that this aspect of any game (or code) will not be a problem for Hunt. He has been belted by the best of them, he is a tough guy. Seeing him get knocked out by the Kiwis in a Test match last year and he was back into it 10 minutes later. I'm sure any AFL or Rugby fan would agree that you don't play SOO if your not tough, he will adapt to the different physicality of AFL. How many guys from other sports could adapt to SOO?? besides that, good artilcle mate.
Redb
Roar Guru
Just on your prediction. I agree there is a fair chance Hunt will look to other challenges in the future - good on him if he does and congrats for making a courageous decision to give AFL a go. As one of the Broncos players said last night with regards to Hun'ts announcement: "wow!" - marketing 101 brilliance for GC17. But dont forget some of the best AFL talent scouts and past players have given him the tick to give the game a go. he doesnt have to win the Brownlow to be successful his taskling and pressure alone will make an impact. If by the end of 2012, GC are climbing the ladder and he wants to get to a premiership he might just stick around for another 2-3 years. Redb
onside
Guest
I really enjoyed the article Adam,thanks.
Adam Santarossa
Guest
My experience in League was purely at Schoolboy level , Arrive Alive Cup. Playing against Beau Champion , Chase Stanley , Mitch Brown and several other future NRL players. The physicality , speed of game and speed needed in making decisions was superior in AFL. The article is mainly my experiences in crossing codes from Football to AFL , which is why League is mentioned vaguely in reference to my career. I take your comment in terms of talk but I agree with scotch ..it has so much more importance in AFL , those that have played the code will certainly agree . It was a big surprise for me when I first started playing the game.
Andrew
Guest
Yes that is the point I am worried about. I know when you do something you havent done alot of it can put a strain on parts of the body that arent as developed as the rest. I really want too see how he goes so I hope he stays healthy.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Talking on the footy field is no different in any code. I talk non-stop, which is the probably the only reason I get invited to play, as I offer nothing else really these days, too slow and fat now!
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Yeah, I was honest that I was poor in AFL, but for different reason's. The school I played for, had most of the Hills District rep players, and as a League player, I wasn't up for the challenge of playing to that level, it was quite a step up and better players deserved the ball, really I was more interested in the days of from school with my mates. AFL and League are very hard to compare, League you have to go through the line, which means most times you are going to cop a knock and a half, as not always are you going to be able to pass the ball into a better position, or create an opening. While AFL is about avoiding the man, and trying to find a man in a better position to give it to (or do that thing you guys do on the ground where you hold onto it). You only have to look at the tackle counts in both games to realise there is a big difference in the confrontations you are involved in on the field. Neither League nor AFL have anything on playing as a forward in Union, which personally I found the most fun, and gave me the greatest admiration of how non-stop it seems when you are going from ruck to ruck, playing in the backs in union is a different story though, hated hardly seeing the ball. Anyway my point was that he provided some background on his Soccer career, and AFL career, just throws in a few digs at league, while providing no perspective of what his involvement in the code was like.
dbl scotch
Roar Rookie
I will be watching K's progress with interest... I agree with all of Adam's comments, having played junior rep league and school boy rugby in Qld I found myself in the Tassie wilderness and talked into playing footy which I did for two seasons down there and a further two in Sydney before returning to the comfort of the rugby front row. Lesson one... a front-rower makes an average half back flanker at best; good for barging through packs of players with head over the ball and for putitng on big tackles that scare the bejesus out of footy players - I don't think Karmichael has to worry about the front-rower limitations, though his hard running atttude and tackling will make an impression; Lesson two... the 360 degree vision and positional play required for footy in both attack and defence takes some getting used to - I can still trace the source of my back problems to being blind-sided whilst staightening for a kick; playing in the front-row has just made them worse. Lesson three... communication is important in all codes, but in footy I have seen and played in too many teams that have lost games purely because they stopped talking (it's related to lesson two above and the sheer size of the playing field);
Pippinu
Roar Guru
In fact - there are stacks of blokes that will have played both at a reasonable senior amateur standard, especially in and around Southern NSW - it would be great to hear from such blokes talking about their own experiences (if they're able to do so in a relatively objective way).
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Dogs you've dabbled a bit in both - go through Adam's points and give your perspective. Honestly - this isn't a pissing contest - it's about about having an honest look at the differences in the games. You know yourself, the rugby codes are far more structured, and aussie rules is more open and chaotic - people will place value judgements on that, when in fact there is no need to place any value judgement on it. One thing is for sure, as Adam has pointed out - Hunt will have to recalibrate everything he has learned to date - it's an obvoius point to make. Spiro gave the excellent example of Jordan - the best of the best in basketball - followed a childhood dream of playing baseball that didn't work out - but that doesn't make him a hopeless basketballer (or hopeless athlete) just because he couldn't do two very different things at the elite level. If we were here talking about a netballer crossing over to korfball, or a tennis player crossing over to squash, there'd be no pissing contest about it - we'd matter of factly talk about the differences. But once we're talking about the four football codes - all of which are different to each other to varying degrees - it inevitably turns into a pissing contest, and no one can look at things in a calm manner. I reckon Adam has made a decent fist of it - but add your own perspective - it's fine!
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I'd like to hear more about your experiences playing Rugby League to give the article some balance. Playing Adult level AFL, and then comparing it to schoolboy Rugby League, really can't be a fair comparison.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Spiro "It’s going to provide great copy for The Roar for a few years to come." Very true!! (new category of Roar correspondent, heading out to god forbidden places like Werribee to catch a glimpse of how Hunt is going in the VFL) AndyRoo Obviously injury can curtail any sporting career, but one wonders whether the strain of doing something completely different at an elite level would make one more injury prone? It's an interesting question.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Of course they wouldn't offer you any money Spiro that would mean the game wasn't amateur :) But I will be shocked if he signs a second contract to play AFL, by then his novelty would have worn off so the offer would likely be a pay cut (hard for anyones ego to take) and his appeal to League and union would probably not have suffered at all. My real concern is the whole thing could turn out to be a sorry tale of constant injuries with the changing aerobic requirements. I hope we really get too see how he will go and he is not plagued by hamstring or ankle injuries or whatever parts of the body come under strain from a heavy training campaign to prepare him for AFL.
Spiro Zavos
Expert
This is one of the best comment pieces on the Karmichael Hunt saga, or saga to come. He has played apparently about 6 games of AFL football. This is hardly any time at all to understand the zen of the game, that instinctive understanding that comes in memes of young Victorian kids. The reports in today's paper referred to the way he was able to discuss the intracacies of play with the AFL experts. Well I can dicuss the intracacies of rugby union but even in my heyday no one was going to offer me any money at all to play that code. Admittedly Hunt has a great set of skills for rugby league and probably rugby union. The question is whether these skills translate. Michael Jordan never made the transition from basketball to baseball, although his athleticism and hand/eye coordination have rarely been bettered. Another point occurs to me, as well. Very good, great 14-aside rugby union players don't always make great Sevens players. Why? Because the aerobic challenges of Sevens is different to that of 15- aside rugby. The same thing applies to rugby league and AFL. Admittedly the 20 to 30kms is something Hunt probably won't be asked to run, but there is more running in AFL than in the stop-start code of rugby league. I hope Hunt makes it. I suspect that he won't and that after a couple of years as the AFL equivalent of Wendell Sailor in rugby, he'll accept an offer from the NZRU, ARU, France or Japan and play rugby union with an eye to the 2015 RWC when he'll be 28. But good luck to him for the adventure he's currently embarking on. It's going to provide great copy for The Roar for a few years to come.
glocko87
Guest
great article. can't wait to see how it pans out!!
Junior
Guest
excellent point spencer. while at school i played soccer, rugby league, hockey, basketball, volleyball, handball, cricket and a few others. hunt, with his prowess, probably played a lot more. a better understanding of his afl credentials would be very useful. he clearly is a great sportsman and his defection is a coup for the afl marketing people. that said, i can't see him (or any top level league player) being much more than a solid player with the ability to pull off something incredible on the field that makes people occasionally go wow. another point to think about - he has achieved a lot for somebody of his age. premierships, origin, tests...etc. origin is often touted by many as the pinnacle of the game. in this year's series hunt found himself on the bench behind a star-studded qld backline with slater playing his position. for memory he was sent on at various stages as a second rower to cover for injuries in the pack. if he sees his short term future on the origin bench waiting for a team mate to break a bone before he gets a regular start, then as an ambitious 22yo with a heavily subsidised afl franchise happy to pay him crazy bucks, and a reasonable fall back if it all goes to pot, it's not so hard to see why he made the move. a prediction? he'll be playing first grade rugby league before his 28th birthday
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Pete maayte - put your hand up for the easy money!!
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Adam terrific insight - this is what we want from Roar contributors - insight!! Everyone else should leave their prejudices and ignorance at the door. Coincidentally, I just finished a Roar article (before I saw this) that touches on some of the points your making, but also on a lot of different aspects of this whole fascinating story. One element I focus on is having an instinct for the game, which you also touch on variously. I also point to the fact that Jim Stynes (a champion shoolboy Gaelic footballer) took 3 years of intense training before he debuted and went on to becme a champion in his own right. But here were many, many obstacles and set backs (1987 prelim final etc) - you are right, and I've used similar language - it's a massive journey for Hunt. He wanted a challenge - he's got it!!!
Peter
Guest
had you played Vicball instead of Futbal spenc, how would have an $1M offer on the table now. Thats is you come form NSW/QLD.