Karmichael Hunt’s after-the-siren goal to clinch the game for Gold Coast on Saturday was one of the best footy moments this year.
Hunt has been a revelation in his second year of AFL football, and has really vindicated the AFL’s decision to lure him away from the rugby codes in 2009.
He has come into his own as a defensively-minded midfielder, and his progress has drawn comparisons with fellow leaguie Israel Folau, who hasn’t exactly set the footy world on fire at GWS.
People are quick to draw parallels between the two code-switchers, but to do so is ignoring the fact that they are completely different players.
Sure, the two both have bulging wallets and are more familiar with scoring tries than kicking goals, but that is pretty much where the similarities end.
Fundamentally, they are fulfilling entirely different roles in their teams, and roles that require completely different approaches.
The smaller, nuggety Hunt has found his niche as a defensive midfielder.
On the other hand, Folau is being groomed as a key forward/part-time ruckman for the Giants, a role that takes time and patience.
Plenty of players with a lifetime of AFL experience take years to adapt to the level required of a key forward, and $1.5 million a year does not make it any easier.
Geelong’s Tom Hawkins and even Hawthorn superfreak Lance Franklin took years to establish themselves, and Melbourne’s Jack Watts is still developing.
Playing key position roles requires more than just the right body, which is the easy part of the transition.
Putting yourself in an ideal position when competing against the best in the country in a game with which you are unfamiliar will take time.
Folau’s talents under a high ball in rugby league have served him well, and there’s no doubt he can take a solid grab when he gets the opportunity.
But to get chances to show his talents, Folau needs two things: service and instincts.
The GWS midfield are still young, and while they attack the ball incredibly well, they are regularly beaten.
Folau will not get many opportunities when his teammates are being dominated in the middle. Even the best forwards can’t kick goals when the ball is parked in the opposition’s forward half.
This is when instinct comes into it. Great players can create something for themselves.
Gary Ablett shows week-in, week-out the potential that players need to be able to create chances out of nothing.
The best forwards put themselves in a position to take a mark whenever the ball comes into their 50. However, doing that consistently requires an almost automatic process that comes with experience.
As Folau gets more senior games into him, he will develop more awareness of his situation, where his opponent is, and how to beat them.
When that happens, he will be able to put himself in the best position in a contest and his teammates will be better able to reward him with opportunities.
And with Folau this week confirming that he is not planning to cut and run anytime soon, he has shown he is willing to put in the effort required to develop that knowledge.
People need to stop setting unfair standards for Folau purely based on the size of his salary, and start looking at him for what he is: a highly-skilled athlete adapting to the rigours of an unfamiliar game.
Folau is talented, he has committed himself to the cause, and his attitude means he will get there eventually.
Just don’t expect him to be kicking game-breaking goals anytime soon.
Joshua Wells
Roar Rookie
Awesome post. I think Hunt will remain in the AFL long term and I still think Izzy will be there for his full contract, but I am not sure about after that. Either way, I have been amazed at Hunt's transformation, and as a League fan who was not bitter, I am quite proud of what he has done. I like how Izzy and everyone around him is sticking to the one cause and I wish him luck. It just must be hard with the media and 'experts' writing him off every week.
Cameron
Guest
"I think he needs to play more on instinct and just go in a get the ball." Sounds like a good recipe to give away free kicks to me.
Brewski
Roar Rookie
Its got you so interested, that you fall over yourself to comment daily on all things AFL, Hunt, Folau, Birchgrove Oval, Hunt kicking winning goals etc etc. LOL.
Midfielder
Guest
Interesting article ... with tongue in cheek ... News limited today identified a Canadian Football player the AFL could poach ... http://www.news.com.au/sport/soccer/canadian-soccer-player-darren-mattocks-shows-skills-better-suited-to-afl/story-fndkzvnd-1226427352279 Watch the clip in the article ...
db swannie
Guest
it is expected that he be the face so as to try to swing NRL fans to watch our great game. Well it is quite possibly the stupidest marketing ploy in Australian sport. Getting a Former Melb,Bronco & QLD player to entice kids in West Sydney is bizzare. All those teams are Detested in the Western suburbs. Then there is the much repeated line ,about appealing to the kids who are playing against larger poly kids . Give them a chance to play a sport where they wont get hurt tackling these large kids.&then use a Large Poly man to entice the kids..Again very bizzare Then they come out & say Izzy will get the large poly population intersted. Do the AFL really have a clue what WS is like .
seanmaguire
Guest
Actually that's a bit of a myth. Hunt played 7 games at school and it sounded like a bit of a muckaround, much like Johnson from the Warriors was a ring in for some AFL games. the big difference for me is that Hunt played fullback were he had to anticipate were the ball was going to be kicked whereas Folou wouldn't have done so to the same extent. you can't teach instincts.
Matt
Guest
While I agree with you that K and Izzy were getting the big bucks to be the face of the teams in the Gold Coast and sydney, I would like to point out why they were picked. Aside from being international players and players that young kids want to be, they were both identified as having something that could be transferred to AFL. Izzy was a big boy who constantly scored trys from kicks while jumping over defenders, ala AFL. I personally think Izzy would benifit more from playing as a defender like Saucehead Merrett. (Nothing but spoils) He does have the body to be a key position player. Likewise K, he was identified as someone who would excel in AFL and has proven to have been a very worthwhile pick up. There was a reason why these two players were picked, and not someone like Paul Gallen or big Petero ..... And by the way vossy, Put the sauce back where he belongs .....
andyincanberra
Guest
Good article, nice to see a less fatalistic assessment on Folau's prospects. Let's also remember how much Hunt has improved from last year, it will be interesting to see what another pre-season will do for Izzy. Also, anyone who has followed Mike Pyke's form this year can see that it is not an impossible task to become comfortable in the indiginous game. Granted Pyke has been around for a few years now.
benais
Guest
folau isnt being paid the big bucks to play football. he is getting paid it as the face of a team, which you guys have to realize this. it is expected that he be the face so as to try to swing NRL fans to watch our great game. same reason as hunt was employed really. hunt has come along way from when he started and now regulaury earns his spot in the team. but the main reason he was there was to convert the fans. which he is doing. people in the gold coast dont care about the suns or gaz ablett all they care about is how did karmichael go??? second question is did they win? slowly it will take time to pull the crowds but if people are asking how these players went and even talking about them , slowly they will start folling in the paper and eventually you may even get them to a game. which again is why they are payed the big bucks. it really doesnt matter how long it takes , if ever, for them to get any good . they are doing the job they were employed for!!! hopefully one day you people will realise this and stop critising them on how well they played. as thats not what they are employed to do. the fact Hunt has actually come along alright is a bonus!!!!
Richo
Guest
I agree. Folau will have take longer to develop for two key reasons. 1. He has never played the game before. 2. He is playing CHF and ruck, arguably two of the most difficult positions top play in modern football. I criticism I have of GWS though is that I feel they are instructing him to "hold back". I think he needs to play more on instinct and just go in a get the ball. That will give him more confidence.
Squizz
Guest
Yes - it is a better article - but it still does not acknowledge that Hunt grew up playing Australia Rules Football, Folau watched a few games while playing for Melbourne Storm. Folau will take at least the length of his contract to be worthy of a top level spot.
SamClench
Roar Pro
This is a pretty mature article. But I do not think it is unfair to hold any player to standards based upon the size of his salary. If you are getting paid the big bucks, you have to earn them. It's that simple. If Israel isn't good enough to justify his pay at the present time, he can start at the bottom of the ladder and work his way up, just like any other talented rookie.
Redb
Roar Guru
The problem is you cant teach Folau about where to run, or how to find the ball. He may figure it out, you can be the best athlete in the world but if you cant get your hands on the pill your trade bait. In RL you are fed the ball. Hunt has worked it out, he positioned himself just out from goal which is exactly the type of thing you can't teach.
Australian Rules
Guest
Good writing btn.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Finally, a realistic and balanced article about Folau - well done!