As debate raged over the merits of Israel Folau’s AFL switch, the Gold Coast Suns toasted the success of Karmichael Hunt after confirming the code hopper had played his last game for 2012.
Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said Hunt would not be risked for their final two games after succumbing to an upper chest injury suffered almost three weeks ago against Melbourne.
A war of words has erupted over Folau after his Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy took to Twitter on Wednesday to defend the multi-million dollar convert.
Sharing stats “a little seagull” provided him, Sheedy cheekily pointed out that one of Folau’s most vocal critics – ex-Geelong enforcer Cameron Mooney – statistically had a worse debut year than the much maligned code hopper.
“Mooney’s average disposals in first year for NM (North Melbourne) in 1999 were 3.3 compared to Izzy 5.9 in his first year,” he tweeted.
“Mooney had 29 hitouts and took 14 marks in 1999. Izzy has had 61 hitouts and taken 20 marks so far this year.
“All this in a side that has won two games as opposed to a premiership. By my calculations Izzy has had a better debut year than Mooney.”
Critics have been sharpening their knives after Folau collected just four touches in his last two games for GWS.
But Ashcroft said there should be no argument that Hunt had impressed this year.
“Of course there is more scrutiny because the spotlight is on him,” he told AAP.
“But I think everyone including people outside the media would say that he has been a success this year.
“He has definitely improved on last year and after a switch (from defence) to the midfield.
“We were always confident about him but I would say he has even pleasantly surprised us.
“He made a big impact on games, not on sheer weight of possessions but with his physical impact on contests.
“He was a tower of strength for us. There is a good reason he is in our leadership group.”
Hunt played 18 games this year – two more than his debut season – but the Suns did not add to that tally to ensure he was in full fitness for 2013.
“If he copped another big hit to that area it would be pretty serious. We were told that it might block his airway,” said Ashcroft, who ruled out surgery.
It draws the curtain on a season in which Hunt emerged as a bona fide AFL player.
His highlights reel included bullying what was then a high flying Essendon in round three and kicking a post-siren goal against Richmond in round 16 to seal their season-opening win.
In contrast, Folau was ranked 415th out of 416 players to have notched 10 games or more in 2012 based on stats.
“He doesn’t know where to run and he doesn’t know what to do out there. The more and more I watch I think you’re not for our game,” Mooney said this week before Sheedy returned fire.
Harry
Guest
Someone took him away in a big yellow taxi, which is a pity because every town needs a..........well........you know what I mean.
Harry
Guest
I thought 'bruise free football' was what AFL is all about.
Macca
Guest
And Redb has disappeared too, but the bombers form night explain that one.
Macca
Guest
Alan H - Which one of the above players will Hunt keep out of the midfield if he keeps getting 15 possessions a game?
Macca
Guest
Brewski - Look at the list of midfielders the Suns have below, while it is true that in a better team some players find it easier to get possessions, Hunt will find it hard to get into the midfield as those players mature.
Milz
Guest
Lol
Alan H
Guest
I think it's clear now the article should be amended to say "Hunt has been a success in the minds of the majority of people." To a narrow minded few he has been a failure.
yewonk
Guest
i dont know but he is gonna get it when he gets back on from the leaguies on account of his tv rights predictions
Milz
Guest
On another note, what ever happened to the Cattery?
Toa
Guest
Josh, don't argue with fools they'll bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
Brewski
Guest
Macca, in a good team, there are plenty of options in the middle, and possesions are easier to come by, so therefore everyone ends up with more of the ball, once you get it you keep it and share it. In a good team Hunt would probably have a higher clearance rate, and a higher posession tally. Josh got you good ...... LOL
Macca
Guest
Don't be sulky, if you don't agree that those midfielders are better footballers than Hunt tell me which ones he would replace?
josh
Guest
That's settled then.
Macca
Guest
Out of 5 or 6 picks in the draft they are bound to take at least 1 midfielder but you point is an interesting one, they don't need any more midfielders, is that with Hunt or without Hunt in the Midfield? For the record, as you are unwilling to show just where hunt would fit in, let's look at the Suns Midfield 1) Ablett 2) Richsitelli 3) Bennell 4) Caddy 5) O'meara 6) Presita 7)Swallow 8) Stanley 9) Shaw So Hunt would come in as the 10th best midfielder being extremely generous. So while you maybe right they don't need another midfielder that is bad news for Hunt.
josh
Guest
The Suns don't need more midfielders. P.S shoot an email the Suns board. You seem to know how what they should do, better than they do at the moment.
Macca
Guest
Let me ask you Josh - name the best 7 midfielders on the Suns list, and don't forget Jaeger O'meara, and then allow for maybe 1 more from this years draft and let me know where you see Hunt fit in.
Macca
Guest
Josh - There is a limit to how low his stats can go before the effect is cancelled out, at 15 possessions a game when he is also below par on tackles, one percenters and goals scored whatever effect he may have is more than cancelled out. If the Suns want to play finals they can't carry a bloke whose figures are as low as his, especially if he isn't able to stop an opponent and even this year if the Suns had their full list of midfielders to choose from I suggest he would of been dropped. And he may be OK, but OK doesn't get you to finals and it doesn't win premierships.
josh
Guest
Macca, read about the Shane Battier effect. Sometimes players have rubbish stats but their impact on the game comes through the increased performance of the team, when they are on the field. You could argue the effect is causal as in the others have to lift their performance to carry a perceived passenger. Anyway. I think he's ok. You don't.
Macca
Guest
Josh - Yes there are things that the stats don't capture but how many AFL midfielders average less than 20 touches? Look at Robinson he is averaging 21, 5 tackles and has 11 goals from 17 matches and he is behind Murphy, Judd, Simpson, McLean, & Carrazzo and fights with the likes of Bell, Curnow, Scotland & even Garlett for his time in the middle. McLean is possibly the best example, he is expected to do a similar role to Hunt but when he was averaging less than 20 touches he couldn't hold his spot, now he is averaging around 25 he is making an impact but fi he doesn't keep getting 25 touches all the extra work can't keep Ellard from taking his spot in the team. And if Hunt's "unseen" game is so good why is he so low in tackles and 1 percenters?
josh
Guest
I'll cop the stats inaccuracy. "If Hunt wants to be an AFL midifelder he has to get closer to 25 touches a game and around 5 tackles". Says you. Unless you are on the Suns coaching panel. Our opinion doesn't count for much. I maintain as long as the Suns coaching panel belies he has a defined role and fulfills that role. Then his averages don't count. He might be the Shane Battier of the AFL.