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Brisbane Broncos rugby league player Karmichael Hunt poses with a Gold Coast AFL franchise jersey following a press conference on the Gold Coast, Tuesday, July 28, 2009, to announce his three year contract with new AFL franchise Gold Coast Football Club. Hunt will commence his AFL playing career in May 2010 . AAP Image/Patrick Hamilton
Don’t back him to win the Brownlow Medal just yet. But the man behind Karmichael Hunt’s stunning code switch, Gold Coast Football Club recruitment director Scott Clayton, said the Brisbane Broncos fullback has all the tools to transfer his success from rugby league to AFL.
“I’ve been a talent identification officer for 20 years and this is as good as it gets,” said Clayton following Hunt’s stunning decision to become the first rugby league player to switch to AFL.
Gerard Daffy of SportsAlive told AAP on Wednesday he was betting 200-1 about Hunt taking out the AFL’s highest individual honour in 2011.
Daffy quoted Hunt $2.50 to make his debut in the club’s historic first game.
“A Brownlow in his first year … that might be a premature,” said Clayton.
“But I’m confident he’s going to be a pretty good player.”
Clayton was very careful not to put too many early expectations on Hunt.
But he said the 22-year-old, who’s achieved almost everything in rugby league, had the skills to play like current Lions coach and former Brownlow winner Michael Voss.
Clayton, who spent time with the Brisbane Lions between 1990-98 and more recently the Western Bulldogs, said Hunt had slipped through AFL’s net as a teenager.
“It was a longshot, but I wouldn’t have made the call (to Hunt in February) unless I thought it was a pretty good idea,” he said.
Clayton was first tipped off to Hunt’s talent by Queensland’s AFL talent manager Mark Browning.
“Mark had spoken very highly about him and his name was very familiar,” he said.
“So, when there was some speculation and conjecture about him crossing codes (to rugby union) we thought it would be wise to investigate him further.”
Hunt flew to Melbourne for a “kickaround” with former Collingwood superstar Nathan Buckley the day after Brisbane played the West Tigers in Sydney in May.
Buckley’s assessment of Hunt’s kicking potential was glowing.
“Karmichael’s kicking excited us and astounded us, it’s so technically sound,” said Clayton.
“He did a drop punt 45 metres straight into Nathan’s hands. After about five seconds we packed up and headed for the car.”
Karmichael Hunt
DOB: 17 November 1986 (22)
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 92 kgPosition: Fullback
Junior Club: Souths Acacia Ridge (Brisbane)
NRL career
Club: Brisbane Broncos
Debut: v Warriors, Suncorp Stadium R1 2004
Premierships: 1 (2006)
Played: 116 games
Tries: 49
Points: 197
2009 – Played: 14, Tries: 7, Points: 28Representative honours
10 matches for Queensland State of Origin 2006-09
11 Tests for Australia; Tri-Nations 2006, World Cup 2008
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