Code-hopper Karmichael Hunt has laughed off criticism from AFL great Wayne Carey. And Gold Coast Suns coach Guy McKenna is tipping Hunt will have the last laugh on all of his knockers on Saturday night.
Carey was scathing of Hunt’s selection for the Gold Coast’s historic AFL debut against Carlton at the Gabba, saying he did not deserve it and could even cause a player rift.
But McKenna defended his trailblazer on Thursday before unveiling his inaugural squad, claiming no other Gold Coast defender could say they deserved selection ahead of Hunt.
And in another crack at Carey, McKenna said he was not one for “gimmicks” and could not risk using an unworthy player in such a big game.
No wonder Hunt said he would be hanging off the last words of McKenna – not Carey – before he runs out against the Blues.
“I watched the (Carey) clip after someone posted it on Twitter and I found it quite funny so I re-Twittered it,” Hunt said.
“I think about 400 people wrote back having a laugh about it as well.
“I am not out to prove anyone wrong.
“My coach says I deserve to be here and that is all that matters to me.
“And Bluey (McKenna) has always got something up his sleeve so if I need some (pre-match) advice I will definitely go to him.”
McKenna spoke with pride about Hunt’s AFL development.
“I don’t think there is another defender in the squad that would say I would deserve to play in front of K (Hunt),” he said.
“He’s earned this, he deserves the right, and the boys will walk taller with K out there.”
McKenna said he was not surprised by Carey’s comments – but believed Hunt may surprise many on Saturday night.
“People have always made those comments about K (like Carey),” he said.
“But we have seen his development, we have seen him deserve his opportunity in the side.
“When I took on the job and took him on I didn’t have any runs on the board (with Hunt).
“And I wasn’t a coach for gimmicks.
“I had to make sure he could play.
“I couldn’t take a punt like Mick Malthouse, or Bomber (Mark) Thompson or Kevin Sheedy could.
“I had to make sure we were a better than even chance of this working.
“And he gives this team a level of assurity.”
Hunt expects to feel some nerves on Saturday night but hopes his big match experience in rugby league and union would help.
“It is definitely going to do me good, having been in some big games in the past I know how to deal with it,” he said.
“And the younger boys here are pretty excited rather than nervous.
“They have done the hard work – they just want to go out and play.”
UK Steve
Guest
Don't think you can be too hard on Hunt as he might come good and the scrutiny for a first game player was immense. Let him find his feet a bit but Bluey McKenna didn't do him any favours by talking about splitting guys in half. I wonder if there is a part of the AFL that wouldn't mind if Hunt never made it. If he makes it then great, more publicity and they might be able to entice other RL players over. If he doesn't make it, then it just shows how good the born and bred players are and how difficult a game it is to play.
GoGWS
Roar Guru
big FAIL last night Karlos....big FAIL...can't tackle, can't spoil and can't find the footy....even coach Guy McKenna admitted that Hunt he was "not satisfactory"...
GoGWS
Roar Guru
I wasn't far off... I said Hunt would get 6 possessions and i just read a match report saying he got 2 kicks and 3 handpasses...and the 2 kicks he got weren't even in general play - he had kick-ins after an out of bounds and after a point...so lucky he in the right place to take those kick-ins otherwise he would have walked off with 3 handpasses and no kicks...a very quiet day at the office... it is very early days and too soon to judge whether Hunt will make it...even so, at this stage the signs are not really good...tadgh kennelly was very rough to start with for the Swans but there were signs he would make it - he made mistakes but at least he was involved in the general play... I haven't seen that with Hunt yet - in the three games I've seen he is barely involved in general play....it's hard to improve when you're not getting involved....not too much of a headache yet but if if the next dozen games from Hunt are like tonight's game there will be questions being asked..
Dingo
Guest
I wouldn't be too harsh on Hunt, of course it is going to take time to get things happening for him, but I'm sure he will work out. How about some criticism be directed towards players like, Brennan, that guy is one of their senior players but made some terrible mistakes tonight. The Suns have got a good big man in Charlie Dixon, from Cairns, not to mention some of their smaller players, good stuff. They will get belted like that a bit more before they start to acheive much success, but I think they should be very excited about their future.
GoGWS
Roar Guru
I don't think KHunt will be laughing now... he was very ordinary tonight...very ordinary.... and so much for Hunt's supposed toughness and tackling - with 5 mins to go in the game Hunt lined up Eddy Betts (probably the smallest player in the AFL) and Betts just bounced off Hunt's challenge and ran through and kicked a goal..... I'm looking forward to McKenna explaining that one away - back to 'Defence 101' for Hunt I'm afraid... no other defender in the AFL would have allowed Betts through - it's real amateur hour stuff.... hopefully there's no more silly talk by Guy McKenna about KHunt cutting players in half with his tackling...maybe come back to that sort of talk when Hunt can actually lay a tackle on the AFL's smallest player...
Todd Slater
Guest
I can't believe all the people on this post writing him off. I'm a league lover & i think it's fantastic that he is out there having a crack at another code. I hope he has a great season. Remember this is his third code in 18 months...! The guy wouldn't have signed if he didn't have the inner confidence to back himself. Another story hidden under the Suns glare is that of their rookie Tom Hickey whose father Mick Hickey was a top line Brisbane first grade league player (in its golden era) with both Valleys & Wynum Manly. Tom only took up afl two years ago & looks the goods.
Chris K
Guest
He can drop the ball as many times as he wants though, and nobody will care as it is the norm in afl
GoGWS
Roar Guru
Hunt will finish tonight's game with about six possessions... and his opponents will have a field day...
NF
Guest
lol what you said Fool is what us northerners think of AFL as the 'tiddle winks game' different culture up here. However, those attending and watching would think other wise and vice versa for the Storm in Melbourne.
Fool
Guest
K Man, you have played that tiddle-le-winks game they play in the north. Now you are playing hardball my friend. We'll see how hard and tough you are, it is all about 2nd, 3rd and 4th efforts at the ball when you are exhausted. Not a pause and brief skip and run you get in that league rubbish. Tonight we will see if you become a man.
Dingo
Guest
Good luck to him and I hope he plays well enough to believe within himself that he deserves to be there and for the team to be able to have confidence in him when they run on the field as a unit. I'll be cheering the Suns on tonight and like everyone else keeping a keen eye on how Hunt goes.
David Lord
Guest
Apart from the AFL die-hards in Melbourne, who gives a continental what Carey says - KH will zip him anyway.
betamax
Roar Guru
Exactly bilbo. They were never not going to play him as he is THE drawcard for the game in SEQ, and this situation by itself makes the whole deal seem like high farce. Why play a player who doesn't belong anywhere near the top flight of a major(in Australia) football code? Why? To get bums on seats of course. Does this besmirch the AFL brand? You decide. If he is not up to scratch in this match he should be dropped until he finds form. I won't hold my breath.
karlos
Guest
Well the time is almost here with all you doubters hoping he fails. He will eat AFL up and spit it out at the end of his contract to chase the bigger money on offer in Rugby League due to the massive TV deal the game is about to get, billionaires buying up clubs and the Independent Commision. Again, thanks for the free advertising.
high light real
Guest
My prediction, he will have a shocker. The track will not suit him (heavy), sunday morning papers will roar '' DARK DAYS AHEAD FOR K ". Mounting pressure to drop k will be the weekly topic. The gold coast suns will issue the team list without naming hunt. Karmichael not seen for 5 weeks until after the bye......BOOM breakthrough k comes back and starts racking up the numbers and finishes the season strongly.....the dude hates failure!!!!!
EveryDayMan
Guest
Yeah, good luck to him. I was pretty sceptical at the begining but have seen some of the Suns NAB games and was impressed at how quickly he's developed his skills. He won't be an out-and-out star and will no doubt make the odd mistake, but I reckon he'll be a pretty good contributor for the Gold Coast and provide the odd highlight with a big hit or tackle. Looking forward to tomorrow night and seeing how quite a few of the Suns go.
Tony T
Guest
I for one am looking forward to the game, I follow Carlton and Im a Broncos supporter as well, so, to see K come over to the A.F.L Im pumped..........go Blues and have a Top games K.....but not to good..... LOL
bilbo
Guest
Youre not going to pay a player higher than anyone else in history and not play him. That would be admission that the experiment was a failure, and would also seriously undercut his marketing value to young kiddies that you want to play your game. Hunt was always going to play, irrespective of how well he went. The real test will not be if they are going poorly, but if the Suns are going well, and Hunt is constantly targeted. If they really need to be winning, that will be the only situation they would consider dropping him.
Redb
Roar Guru
I've also seen the vidcast from Carey. He is not scathing of Hunt , however he also admits he has not seen a lot of him. My read is that Hunt is not an A Grade AFL player who would automaticially slot into an AFL side, but with the Suns they are still building a team and as a strong body with good tackling skills he probably is worthy of inclusion in the Suns team at this point in time. He has time to improve as do the Suns, the real test will be next year. At the end of the day I dont think its Carey lamenting the fact he never got to play league he would have had every chance coming from Wagga, moreso it is a bit of elitism.
Guido
Guest
I dont think many AFL players would bother to try league. Less money and worse conditions (seriously some home grounds are worse than SANFL clubs).