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If you are you listening to my fellow rugby league journalists, you will be aware that the Gold Coast Suns have told former Australia, Queensland and Brisbane star Karmichael Hunt that he is free to return to his natural habitat of the NRL.
With this, there will surely be many suitors for the man once called the ‘greatest all-round footballer Australia has ever produced’.
In no particular order, I will outline which clubs could use Special K running out of fullback or making plays in the halves.
Brisbane Broncos
The natural place to start this list would be with Hunt’s old club, the Brisbane Broncos. Brisbane would no doubt be keen to have him back, likely in the number six jersey, but the main issue blocking this fairytale return is the salary.
CEO Dave Smith has the ability to intervene in order to retain or recruit marquee players for the league in exceptional circumstances, but it is doubtful he would exercise this right when it is likely Hunt will return to the NRL anyway. It’s this that makes a return for Hunt to Red Hill a little more unlikely.
Percentage chance – 40%
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
It is no secret that the Bulldogs have been looking for a marquee fullback ever since Ben Barba packed up to move to Hunt’s old stomping ground. It would be nothing short of poetic if the Doggies returned the favour by stealing a Broncos favourite to play fullback for them.
The failed Andrew Fifita deal gives the Dogs the cap space to make a play for Hunt, but it would likely be at the expense of one of their big bullokcing forwards. While you’d be hard-pressed to find a Hunt-to-Bulldogs rumour on the net, it does make a hell-of-a-lot of sense.
Percentage chance – 40%
Canberra Raiders
The Suns’ decisions to release Karmichael Hunt could not come at a better time for the Canberra Raiders. Their fullback, and best player, Anthony Milford just announced he would be leaving at the end of the season, and the Suns just announced Hunt would be back on the market.
For a club in crisis that has had nothing to cheer about all year, a positive player signing for next year would be about the best news possible for the fans. I’m just not sure Canberra would be the most attractive option for an athlete in the prime of his career.
Percentage chance – 20%
Gold Coast Titans
At this point in time, the Suns’ cross-town, cross-code neighbours are looking like the most likely destination for Hunt, assuming he chooses to end his AFL experiment. Location wise, he would not have to go anywhere, and the Titans are a young, attractive team that Hunt could potentially push over the edge into true contention.
It is likely the Titans would have the cash to put forward, and Hunt would ease into the fullback role, pushing David Mead back to the wing.
Percentage chance – 70%
Melbourne Storm
Another destination that is heating up of late is his cousin Hymel Hunt’s club, the Melbourne Storm. Craig Bellamy opened the door to the move is week, and it is one that makes sense, with Melbourne finally hitting a wall this year.
Hunt would add some much-needed life into the Storm attack and take some of the strain off Cooper Cronk’s shoulders. He would also help Melbourne cope in the post big-three era.
Percentage chance – 70%
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors seem to always be in line for a superstar, and for a team in need of a consistent six, a romantic return to the country of his birth may be an attractive option for Hunt.
While Chad Townsend has shown flashes of what the Warriors would want from their five-eighth, they would no doubt jump at the chance to sign the premiership-winning Hunt, who would likely vault them into premiership contention.
However, the cash that they have splashed of late on the likes of Ryan Hoffman and Sam Tomkins may mean that they don’t have the money for their final puzzle piece.
Percentage chance – 30%
North Queensland Cowboys
For a team that has suffered a fair amount so close to the NRL finish line, Karmichael Hunt could very well push North Queensland again into premiership contention. It would also serve to be an answer to the question of who should partner Johnathan Thurston in the halves.
It is well known that a strong spine is needed to win an NRL premiership, and Hunt would help to strengthen a spine that also boasts young Lachlan Coote. Also encouraging for the Cowboys’ case is that they are not as far from his current base as the other options.
Percentage chance – 30%
Queensland Reds
If you have been reading what you can find on the net regarding Karmichael Hunt then you have no doubt heard that Israel Folau has implored the Queensland Reds to go in for Special K. This is possibly the most intriguing option on this list.
Hunt played a season of Top 14 rugby union in France with Biarritz on the wing and in the centres, so he is no stranger to the code. His improved kicking game would also likely see him spend some time at fullback. With the Reds bumbling away in third last in Super Rugby, and desperate enough to reach out to James O’Connor, perhaps Hunt could serve as the X-factor alternative needed in Queensland rugby.
Percentage chance – 40%
Elsewhere
All of Australian football has been put on notice to the massive spending power available to French and Japanese rugby, and the time Hunt spent with Biarritz in France should put national footy on notice that he would not be opposed to a big cash grab and an overseas lifestyle.
For the good of the industry in the country, it is best that one of our clubs sign him up so that yet another Aussie talent is not lost overseas, never to be seen again.
Percentage chance – 30%
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