The only man to successfully switch from senior rugby league to Australian Rules believes Karmichael Hunt is on a hiding to nothing learning the trade under the intense pressure of AFL football.
Ray Smith, the first Queenslander to notch 100 games in the VFL – after he’d played in a Brisbane Rugby League premiership – is worried the Hunt experiment is doomed if he stays in the Suns senior side.
High-profile code-hopper Hunt has struggled badly at half-back in Gold Coast’s opening two thumpings by Carlton and the Western Bulldogs after coach Guy McKenna stressed he deserved his selection down back.
Smith, who played the same position in 77 games for Essendon and 27 for Melbourne between 1971 and 1976, said Hunt needed time at full-back in the Gold Coast reserves in the NEAFL to get a better grip on the game.
“You have to take some performance pressure off him,” Smith told AAP.
“It’s not fair to expect him to pick up the game quickly under match pressure, and they haven’t even played the really good teams yet, even though Carlton was pretty good.
“If he can’t legitimately hold his spot after half a dozen games then for the integrity of the whole club he should have half a dozen games in the twos and do it in six-game blocks.
“I think he should play fullback in the twos, he would be more comfortable there and seeing it all coming would be easier and then give him another try.
“I think it’s too hard to expect him to get to a competent league level when you are learning on the job.”
Smith argued he enjoyed a much easier transition because he grew up playing Australian Rules before excelling at rugby union at high school and then agreeing to play league with premiers Valleys, lining up at outside centre in the 1970 BRL grand final.
He doubted whether Hunt, who played just nine games of Australian Rules at school, had enough time learn how to “read the game”, build his skill-set and find his running legs before the end of his three-year contract next year.
“I think his chances are less than 50-50 and even if he makes it I don’t think he’ll ever be an exceptional player,” said Smith, a management leadership consultant.
“Reading the play in Australian Rules is huge and a capability which is extremely important. Less so in the backline … you’re not making the play so much as reacting.
“The other problem he’s got is he’s a big, strapping bloke with big legs and there’s a lot of running.
“You have to be a pretty competent 400m runner really to play Australian Rules at least and I think he’s struggling there too.
“And that’s a huge distraction, if you don’t feel confident in your legs it’s very hard to keep your mind focussed on what it’s supposed to be focussed on and that’s the ball coming.
“I hope it pans out for him but more so I hope it pans out all right for the club because otherwise they would be in a pickle.”
Dan
Guest
True. I just hope they both stay injury free and Hunt sorts his cramping out.
toa
Guest
I believe the fans are under estimating their learning abilities. Hunts and Folua efforts were nothing to write home about, nonetheless there were noticeable improvements between both games, surely thats got to say something in regards to their capabilities. If anything this is code war between the fans and this issue provides cheap shots in order for them to please themselves....power to them....If you enjoy the drama this topic has to offer then be prepare to be patience for a final result.
GoGWS
Roar Guru
I agree with SFB above - I bet Hunt/Folau both under-estimated how hard it is to play.... they had little understanding about how hard it is to read the play, win possessions and create options...very different from RL....just look at all the ignorant comments from RL fans claiming aussie rules is easy...if nothing else, at least the Hunt/Folau experiment will shut those fools up..
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
I'm agreed. Holding his man to no goals and elecen disposals after having four kicked on him last week is all you can ask of a back pocket. Hunt was hired as a athlete not as a footballer, and although I didnt see the Dogs game, he was hardly the worst on field against Carlton ... lets all see how he is going at the end of the year. On Folau, dont overthink it. He's big, tall, strong and can jump. Put him at full forward until he proves he can't kick - and even then, leave him there if you've got a couple of good crumbers.
Sherrin-Burley-Faulkner
Guest
Zac Smith is a ruckman, and IMO a bit more latitude is given to the big guys. 4 years is hell of lot longer than what Hunt has had, Hunt really does not have that time frame. I will be pleasantly suprised if this experiment works, most of the Irish guys have not made the cut, Hunt must be super determined to make it IMO.
toa
Guest
If all reports are correct It's interesting to know Zac Smith Aussie Rules experience is only 4yrs. His first two outings were solid, goes to show you if you work hard and process instructions positive results appear. I believe elite athletes respect the difficulty of their chosen code rather than underestimated it.
Sherrin-Burley-Faulkner
Guest
I might also add that i think Hunt's heart is in the right place, but he has way underestimated the difficulty of playing the game, even if his skills become satisfactory.
Sherrin-Burley-Faulkner
Guest
I have thought about this, and IMO Hunt, Folau and the AFL or whoever brokered the deals have made a big mistake, these guys are not going to make it, Hunt is built to be a rugby player, the money is good, but by and large he is wasting his time, Folau is the same. I have a feeling these guys thought playing top level Australian football would be easy, in hindsight the AFL should have learnt from the ARU that these codeswappers normally end in tears. But hey !!, i could be wrong, but i dont think i am. Money could have been spent on grassroots Australian footy, PNG, South Africa etc IMO.
JamesP
Guest
Some perspective please: http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/111384/default.aspx Some key take outs of the aritcle: - IN ROUND five of the 2000 season, Jonathan Brown made his debut for the Brisbane Lions against Adelaide. He had zero kicks, zero marks, 0 handballs and 0 goals. - In his second senior game, (Hunt) after part of a season of preparation in the VFL competition, he held Jarrad Grant to two kicks, and no score (11 disposals) when the Suns were beaten by 71 points by the Western Bulldogs on Saturday. - Hunt had 10 disposals himself at 84 per cent efficiency. But still the scrutiny by some in the media has been on errors rather than achievements. - Such observers might note that the Suns have played their first two games against two very good teams - finalists both in 2010 - and their defence (not surprisingly) has been under siege. In that context, Hunt has been serviceable and has plenty of upside to offer as he works out the fine culture of the game, and how his teammates operate and cooperate. FFS...these are unique circumstances. New teams in a developing market. Would Hunt be in the first 22 of any other AFL team? No. But we are talking Gold Coast here - Hunt will improve as they improve. Ditto Folau with GWS.
Guido
Guest
Give him a few more games before dropping him to 2's. You cant say he's not trying but the GC has to start being competitive real soon. After his tenure, it will be interesting to hear KH's honest assessment on the comparisons between AFL and the Rugby codes as far as skills required and physical demands. He and Folau will be the only ones that really know, maybe shutting up a few armchair experts around here.
Cman
Roar Rookie
O' are we still taking about this bloke. Things are only going to go from bad to worse for this Hunt fellow. He must be dropped to show the Suns still have some credibility left. Lets all hope he gets a flight to France to play union so we can all forget about him in Australia ASAP.