North Melbourne coach Brad Scott heaped praise on Gold Coast’s rugby league recruit Karmichael Hunt after North claimed a 34-point win in their AFL clash at Etihad Stadium.
Hunt threw his muscular frame into packs all day long on Saturday, gathering 16 possessions as the injury-depleted Gold Coast led by a point at halftime, but faded in the closing stages.
North powered home with nine goals to Gold Coast’s four in the second half in front of less than 18,000 fans to win 17.25 (127) to 13.15 (93) and improve their record to 3-2 this season.
“They were challenged by their coach with a couple of senior players out and the young players for the Gold Coast really stood up and took their opportunities,” Scott said.
“I thought they were fantastic and gave everyone a glimpse as to what a good side they can be.
“Anyone who has criticised Karmichael Hunt over the journey should be eating their words and should be apologising to him, because on that performance he’s a bona fide AFL midfielder.”
The Kangaroos’ strong emphasis on handball brought them unstuck in the first half, with skipper Andrew Swallow admitting they were playing “kamikaze” football.
But an old-fashioned spray from Scott led to more composure in the second half, as Drew Petrie, Aaron Edwards and Lindsay Thomas finished with three goals each.
Swallow was best-afield with 31 possessions while younger brother David battled a hip injury to be among Gold Coast’s best with 23 disposals. Debutant Kyal Horsley was also prominent along with small forward Harley Bennell (21 possessions and three goals).
Andrew Swallow left the field dazed after receiving a high bump from Hunt in the third quarter but soon returned.
“He’s a 10-times better player than what he was,” Andrew Swallow said.
“The way he’s attacking the footy now and the way he’s reading it, it’s a credit to him.
“He goes hard at the footy and he’s got a big body and he throws it around.
“He’s a really fair player. I have no issues with him.”
North’s 2011 joint club champion Daniel Wells was subbed off at three-quarter time with only 13 possessions after being well-held by Dion Prestia.
Scott said Wells’ game time was being managed because he didn’t have a full pre-season.
The Suns were without Michael Rischitelli, Jarrod Harbrow and skipper Gary Ablett because of injuries.
“It’s a 34-point loss. Maybe in the scheme of the outside world, no respect,” Suns coach Guy McKenna said.
“But internally the boys are growing individually and they’re learning a lot about each other.”
Win-less Gold Coast’s next assignment is at home against Fremantle on May 5, while North Melbourne play West Coast in Perth the following day.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Im expecting the same weak, undignified silence from them next year over Folau, too.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Grant, Hunt did everything he could to avoid injury to Swallow, and I am in awe. Here is the film. The hit on Swallow is at about 3.00-3.08 http://www.afl.com.au/video/tabid/76/default.aspx Select NMFC v GCFC: Match Summary Frame by frame, its looking pretty good to me - Hunt is definitely rotating his hips *away* from the contact. Look at the angle his arse is at at 3.04 - its pointed into Swallow, as he throws his weight forward to assist with the tackle. Hunt then realises Swallow has lost his feet from the tackle and is in a pretty much uncontrolled dive forward. By the time the contact happens, Hunt's right hip has been pulled back, and his left pushed forward - exactly the reverse of what you do when trying to hit someone. He dodged him, in short. For Hunt to be able to see the risk, and haul his ass around so it's a glancing blow with Hunt using his power to pull his weight away from the contact, rather than running into his head with his weight forward, was an amazing feat. Im in awe after going through that frame by frame. It should get reviewed by the MRP, and Hunt should be complimented for what he did to protect Swallow.
GrantS
Guest
Yes Chris there were a lot of people slinging mud but the silence now is deafening. Hunt's NRL experience has taught him exactly where to hit a player in a shirtfront and those hit don't forget about it in a hurry. I certainly hope he is not suspended as, although there was head high contact, the player was falling in a tackle and there was nothing Karmichael could do to prevent the accidental hit.
ChrisH
Guest
Hunt deserves for a few contributors on this site to at least admit they were wrong!