If there’s been a more uplifting piece of play in the AFL this year than Karmichael Hunt’s after-the-siren goal to give Gold Coast victory over the Tigers, I haven’t seen it.
Even this hardened Richmond man can’t help but smile when watching the replay on Youtube (below).
Even in the heat of watching the game live, you had to marvel at how far the former rugby league national has come, and feel good about the evolution of his story.
Since making his debut for the Brisbane Broncos at the age of seventeen, Hunt has achieved more in nine years than scores of men could dream of in ten lifetimes.
Youngest ever Bronco. Rookie of the year honours in 2004. NRL premiership in 2006. Australian representative in a victorious Tri-Nations. State of Origin fullback for Queensland. Professional rugby union in France. Senior football at VFL and now AFL level.
It’s a glittering array of honours, and to think Karmichael is only 25 years old! (Sonny Bill Williams, take note.)
The history of Hunt’s move to AFL football has been well documented, and the vocal condemnation of the long line of critics even more so.
Short-sighted ex- and even current players voiced disapproval at his inflated wage, failing to understand that there was a picture much, much bigger that just one man. It can easily be argued that such was the publicity surrounding the coup, Hunt had paid his way before even pulling on a Suns jumper.
But back to that magical kick.
We all know the ‘boyhood dream’ story of kicking the winning goal after the siren, but in reality it seldom happens at the highest level. Jordan McMahon, in 2009, was the last player to do it, which was the only time it had happened in the last seven seasons.
In fact, Karmichel joins Chris Tarrant as the only current player to achieve this feat.
The youth and future of the Gold Coast Suns was on display. Trent McKenzie, in only his 33rd game, won the centre clearance with 16 seconds to go and unloaded one of his patented spearing punts. There are few with a more lethal left boot. Brandon Matera, a natural crumbing forward playing match number 22, fed on the crumbs, and used his guile and smarts to centre the ball.
Had he seen Hunt there, free in space 25m out from goal? I think he had. An almost imperceptible flick of the head as he stumbled while picking up the ball had given him all the information he needed.
And who had read the play better than 34 other players on the ground? The rugby league convert who would ‘never make it’. The struggler who would ‘never have a feel for the game’. The mercenary who was going to be ‘a waste of time and money’.
Hunt calmly went back, accepting some advice and words of comfort from his close friend and protégé Harley Bennell, and skipper Gary Ablett. It’s not a stretch to say that those three will be filling the podium positions of the Suns best and fairest count right now.
Pressure? Karmichael eats it for breakfast.
To perform to the level he has throughout 2012, despite his detractors looking to pick him apart at every turn during his first season, already suggested that he had the intestinal fortitude to thrive in the most trying of circumstances.
A few deep breaths. A calming look at the yellow Sherrin in his hands. A glance at the goals.
In he ambles, shrouded in the relaxed air of confidence that all elite athletes have when it’s crunch time, and the game is riding on their shoulders.
Well, you know the rest.
Was the sound of ball hitting boot the kick that was heard throughout the country? It was surely the sound of the Australian sporting landscape being forever altered.
When Karmichael Hunt retires from elite sport, he will be remembered as an AFL footballer, and given his storied past, that is an astounding truth.
John D
Guest
Cameron, I wish it wasn't so, but I think you are right. Go the swans.
Macca
Guest
"!’ No talk in the media of Hunt’s matchup on the day would suggest that it wasn’t a happy hunting ground for them." There never is any mention of Hunts opponent, that's exactly my point, everyone raves about his 10 possessions and his great defensive game (where he averages a whole 3 tackles) but no one ever actually looks at who his opponent is. Curnow has 3 goals for the season, Hunt has 3 goals for the season, curnow averages more possesions and more tackels from less game time, oftetn plays a defensive role and as I said is battling to hold his spot in the team. If curnow is to be replaceed the person replacing him should be better not worse.
micka
Guest
I would prefer goals over cheap possessions any day of the week. Anyone can get 40 possies the way we share it around the backline or hold it up around the wings instead of committing to scoring. 10 poss, 6 tackles and 2 GOALS or 17 poss, 5 tackles and..... I know which I would prefer. "from Hunt who’s man did who knows what!' No talk in the media of Hunt's matchup on the day would suggest that it wasn't a happy hunting ground for them. Who was Curnow playing on again? They must have been getting it laces out to Petrie. Who had Petrie? Maybe we should give Jamison the a**e?
The Link
Guest
The irony of AFL fans expressing admiration for the Wallabies and wishing their success cannot be overlooked on this site. AFL poses the single greatest threat to the success of the Wallabies in the next 20 years. Rugby is becoming by far and away the biggest loser from AFL's recent growth in Sydney for example. Its funny cause Rugby League and AFL actually have more in common culturally in this country than any other codes, yet their fans are becoming increasingly antagonistic towards each other.
Macca
Guest
Sorry Micka I must of missed the other goal in all the euphoria. And get rid of Curnow you say, yeah why wouldn't you trade 17 possessions and 5 tackles for a bloke doing a run with role for the 10 possessions and 6 tackles from Hunt who's man did who knows what! And while Crunow has averaged 3 more possessions and a tackle more a game (and has been used as the sub or subbed more than once) he has struggled to keep his spot in the side, yet Hunt who is going worse would be an automatic selection? And the argument that players do better in better teams doesn't wash, Hunt is part of the starting midfield group, Curnow has to get in line behind Judd, Murphy, Carrazzo, Simpson McLean & Robinson for his time on the ball.
micka
Guest
Cant you count Macca? Hunt kicked 2 on the weekend. Curnow off interchange. You don't generally swap out the bigger contributors in a side Macca, you swap out the poor ones for someone who is doing marginally more. God knows what Karmichael could do with more than only Junior to keep them busy. Even the worst players do better in better teams. Don't even need to get rid of anyone. I'd just pay him a bit to teach them how to kick straight and go hard at it for a change instead of hanging around the back waiting for an easy one.
Macca
Guest
Yeah Micka that's what we needed, a midifelder who had 10 touches for the game and kicked 1 goal. Who should we have left out for that great contribution - mcLean's 25, Murphy's 28 or judd's 36 and 3 goals?
Redb
Roar Guru
Spot on Toa. The bloke is all class and a hard worker. Good to see it paying off for him.
Redb
Roar Guru
Masters normal - your joking :) K Hunt's success to date is a bigger deal than you give credit for, but that's the way we like RL to think. Sure, there wont be anything that will hit the newspapers, it will be subtle, a few here , afew there. Some RL players start to beleive it can be done. Some RL juniors give AFL footy a try. That's what we want.
micka
Guest
See that great side step he put on. Lots of confidence on debut and can moove for a big marn...
Australian Rules
Guest
GCS, Brisbane can most certainly sustain a second Brisbane team. It's bewildering (and a little embarrassing) that the NRL hasn't got off its arse to do it yet...but it will happen. In the years to come, a strong Lions and Suns outfit will undoubtedly make the presence of Australian footy stronger in Brisbane/Qld...but it's a long way off from challenging League as Brisbane's favourite footy code. K's goal was one of those great moments that makes people sit up and appreciate it.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Brsibane can't even support a 2nd NRL team LOL.what planet do you live on?.You appear to know little of the citiy's history re rugby league nor about the current bids and their backing.. Perhaps you have been reading articles such as this from yesterday's Australian per Brisbane "legend Alastair Lýnch" As much as it was a real PR campaign for the AFL and the Suns to get Karmichael across,it also opens up a new window for a lot of rugby league players like him that will be now thinking"Maybe it's something I should have a look at". Yeah Alastair pay me $1m pa and I will sign up.The window has been there for years,sheesh. Like all the ones that stampeded to the other code because Keiran Jack(son of a famous rl player)is making a decent job of it with the Swans. Straight out of the Caroline Wilson school of out there delusion.Even makes Masters appear normal.
Qlder
Guest
Don't know about some of you, but I enjoyed Karmichael's goal simply for the drama of the moment. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Dingo
Guest
A.R. You must admire him for doing it out of the kindness of his heart though. ;) Quote "We are merely being cruel in order to be kind"
John Seabrook
Guest
Matt F, that just about covers it for me too. The Tigers' big wins over Hawthorn and Sydney seemed like an eternity ago well before Saturday's pathetic showing. Unconvincing against Demons, scraped in against GWS. Injuries are no excuse either. Both Syd and Hawthorn are MCG bound in September, Richmond I'm sorry to say, are heading down the same well worn path. Well done to GCS & Karmichael Hunt all the same. Well done to Cameron Rose for keeping his composure after this disaster for all Tigers supporters too. Other teams supporters I don't think really know what it's like to be a Richmond person. One word: Excruciating!!
Toa
Guest
Hunt achieve far more in 6mths of French Rugby than what Sonny Bill did in 3yrs. Both are wonderful footballers.
Brewski
Roar Rookie
Just as important for mine is another QLDer making his debut for the Suns on the weekend, Townsville boy and high jump champion. http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2012/07/13/228275_local-sport-news.html Kicked a couple of goals and was subbed off.
Toa
Guest
Three things that stood out for me. 1. He quickly dispel the moment and paid Matera full compliments. Humble & ultimate team player. 2. Bluely mentioning he didn't carry on & his focus was to get better. Hard worker & dedicated player. 3.Tweets..the most satisfying thing that evening was going home to see his girls. Family man. Whether he was being PC but its a known fact every player every coach echo the above sentiments & for him I guess thats all he has to win over.
Phelpsy
Guest
There is no such thing as a "straight forward goal " when it is after the siren to win the game. Add in all the other pressure this man would have had over and above any other afl footballer then yes is was no straight forward goal!
Toa
Guest
Okiee, Hunt score a try for Biarritz in the Heineken cup grand final didn't win them game but collected man of the match honours for his team, week earlier put Munster away with an eye catching performance at 10 seen by millions through ESPN. No biggie right Okiee......nah none at all ....... Heineken cup, world stage no way okiee reckons...... crossing over from fullback to hold down a number 10 spot to lead a team with 6mths of rugby experience is a walk in the park right?....gee okiee your right again. No biggie what Gasnier and Sonny Bill achieve what hunt done in.....done in.....what did they do again? oh yea whatever Hunt does anybody okiee mention's is ten times better & thats Okiee perspective I mean opinoin.....pleasssssee.