Karmichael Hunt can play like Michael Voss

There could be a lot more players of Sth Pacific background coming the AFL's way. Aussie Rules is booming in PNG, though a long way behind RL it is catching up with well over 20,000 regular players. In NZ there's 1,500 players in the NZAFL. Samoa, Nauru and Tonga all play the game and the first two of those countries have junior leagues. Fijian background David Rodan and Nick Natanui in the AFL have ignited interest of AFL scouts in Fiji and when the Western Bulldogs went to run a talent day in Fiji hundreds more turned up than they'd expected. In Fiji later this year will be the inaugural Aussie Rules 9's Sth Pacific tournament with teams from several Sth Pacific nations. 9's allows Aussie Rules to be played on soccer and rugby pitches and is more open style and gives learning players twice the ball for game time, and is proving a good medium for growing the game in Europe. See www.worldfootynews.com for more info on the growing international aspect of Aussie Rules (of course off a very small base but bit bigger every year). The Pacific like Sth Africa, Canada and Scandinavia are places the game seems it could get a wide amateur participation base in time.

Thanks Pip, just re-read article, now I know.

Didn't Ray Hadley once have a slip of the tongue on his name? Is there a youtube of it? In AFL circles, the dangerous line to use has been describing a 'mungrel kick' as an "Up country punt"

Joke is on you. You now have khunt. Enjoy.

They aren't allowed to go over $100K or something if they organise it. If someone else approaches him, then it's fine, problem is khunt after his antics last year, isn't one you would want to associate your product with, well unless it's AFL.

Robbos the article actually tells you who Voss is.

BTW who is Michael Voss?

I believe Karmichael has 2 brothers Mike and York that are good Aussie Rules players.

watta legend. good choice come and play afl. its a top sport and just gives me more reason to laugh at nrl

Peter I think he wil be able to get 3rd party deals, it's just RL management weren't pepared to get them for him. I expect too see his face on a new range of Hunt approved portaloos within the year. Or on a serious note he could be involved in AFL marketing, doing a blog (ghost written of course) about what he learned this week and such and attending 1 million QLD/NSW/NZ schools to kick a sherrin with the kids. Anyway, if he's getting paid 1 million dollars a season I think that will overshadow what he does/ doesn't do on the field in NSW/QLD and I don't think it will be a positive signing for the AFL long term.

The irony - most the stories have been under the NRL tab in newspapers. MOst the comments are from NRL followers on the comments sections. Yet, here on theRoar - it's mostly fallen under the AFL tab. To whom does this story belong?? - - re the $3million, it remains to be seen just what the amount is. I gather people have assumed that figure is more than I gather an $800K a season figure he'd been reportedly offered by Union somewhere. It's purely speculative to suggest it's more or less than that. The source of the funds has to be a bit of an oddity, because, GCFC can't pay him as a regular player yet. And, the first year is certainly outside of the salary cap for AFL - and how it works in with the VFL procedures?!?!? At any rate - this doesn't 'just happen'. Certainly, if he does a shoulder or knee in Japan over xmas - it'll all look decidedly sick.

BB "the new GC team will generate $$$ in excess of the reported $3m shelled out to get him. " You think? the talk is that the reason he left the Broncos was because NO 3rd party payments were forth coming. Meaning that sponsors didn't wont to touch he with a 40foot pole. So how are the GC Lifegaurds going to attract $$$$ when the Far,Far,Far,Far,Far,Far,Far,Far more popluar couldnt attract any?????????? whishful thinking

Oh sorry, the ultimate boo boo/irony. Pointing out a mistake which wasn't actually a mistake and in turn making a mistake :)

Peter It's AFL not VFL...Is it a publicity stunt..maybe ..i'd prefer to call it a marketing strategy...Hunt's AFL career may or may not be a success. He brings a natural athletic ability that probably is superior to many currently playing. That does not mean he will be able to grasp the specialist skills of the game and succeed. Nevertheless i reckon they will persist for at least 2 of the 3 yr contract to see whether this the case and i suspect the attention this brings to the code in general and the new GC team will generate $$$ in excess of the reported $3m shelled out to get him. Look at the media coverage the 2 codes have received in the last 24 hrs. The heirachy at the NRL and AFL must be sitting back laughing and probably adding another million or two to the asking price for their next broadcast deals !! Compare this to the coverage of Barnes coming to the Waratahs .. a great story but buried under the avalanche of NRL/ AFL coverage. One final point on the Hunt crossover...i can't believe you sign him up for $3m and then say go off and play Rugby in 2010. Surely the AFL can't believe Rugby is that soft !

good luck to him,talk about putting up & its going to be good to see him irion out a few of the precious AFL bean poles...

They were saying on the radio this morning that Buckley said Hunt can kick better than Martin Clarke

pete The A league could not afford to pay Karmichel Hunt 1 million dollars per year so its a moot point. I don’t think any other sport would be knocking down a door to get a bloke like Mark viduka and Tim Cahill has said he was too small to play rugby league.

AR - correct, but Peter is being both funny & correct. Although I don't think there are any 30yr old household names who play AFL from QLD or the GC are there ? Will the GC vs Lions take on the Collingwood vs Carlton status up there ?

I read it as Mark is talking about them signing a 30 year old leagie that would have no chance of being able to be effective... if they just wanted PR they should have signed W Sailor

I don’t know much about AFL but surely a forward role would be best. In all sports defenders who make mistakes lose you games but you can carry an attacker a bit. I also think his perceived strengths, he seems to be considered a menacing physical type (he's a full back not a prop forward!) would be dangerous in the forward line and I think there’s less running. If there doing it for media exposure then have him in a position where he can score goals would be best as every goal he scores is likely to be shown on TV. Lets be honest here us northerners are a bit ignorant of AFL so if they say Hunt scored two goals and was the 4th top scorer we will think he is doing well (we will be none the wiser how many chances he fluffed by being out of position) and our interest will be maintained.