Cold, hard numbers show the AFL’s multi-million dollar investment in Karmichael Hunt resulted in a mere 44 matches across four seasons for Gold Coast.
But the reality for Hunt, a fledging expansion club and the competition itself is his value was never truly about his output on the field.
Hunt says he leaves the AFL a better professional and person than he was when he abandoned a glittering rugby league career to gamble on proving he could play in a different code.
After debuting in the NRL in 2004 as a 17-year-old, Hunt was already a premiership winner, a State of Origin and Test player and one of the bona fide stars of the game when he quit to become what was viewed widely as nothing more than a publicity stunt for the AFL’s expansion team on the Gold Coast.
Hunt would go on to surprise many by proving himself as an AFL footballer in the Suns’ first two campaigns, playing 34 games and kicking a memorable winning goal after-the-siren against Richmond in Cairns in 2012.
By his own admission his rugby league physique couldn’t however keep up with the aerobic demands of the game and hamstring tendonitis in 2013 was the beginning of the end of his AFL experiment.
Hunt could only manage four games from round six, 2013 – including just one appearance in 2014 – as his body continually betrayed him.
Even the chance of one last hurrah in Sunday’s season finale for the Suns against West Coast was beyond him, with Hunt telling coach Guy McKenna he didn’t want to get picked for the clash with the Eagles.
Despite the disappointing end, Hunt feels his time in AFL was a success and if he’d been physically able his desire was to stay in a game he’d come to love.
“If I was fit and able to run the k’s that these boys do at pace, I dare say if I was in form and able I’d have stayed (in AFL),” the 27-year-old said.
“Just not to be. My genetics suggest that I should be playing another game.
“I pushed it as hard as I could. I left no stone unturned.”
Hunt said when he first arrived in a Suns’ dressing room his aim was to earn his teammates’ respect.
He says he’s happy he’s done that and can leave the game with his head held high.
“I’ve never focused on medals or the amount of games I’ve played. It’s never been a driving factor for me,” he said.
“If I was focused on goals, if I was focused on accolades, I probably would have stayed there (rugby league) and tried to clock up 300 games.”
Hunt wouldn’t discuss his future but it’s expected he’ll be unveiled by Super Rugby’s Queensland Reds on Friday evening.
He says the physical problems which curtailed his AFL career won’t be an issue in his new sport.
“I’m confident. I’m definitely not going to a game where I have to run about 12 kilometres every Saturday,” he said.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to get through without any injuries.”
NOT JUST A PR STUNT – KARMICHAEL HUNT’S AFL NUMBERS
Games: 44
Goals: 6
Career disposals average: 11.1
Career tackles average: 2.8
TD
Guest
And Adrian Barich who was an emergency for the first WCE flag couldn't cut it in league
TD
Guest
Google Adrian Barich - about 100 games with West Toast and the 2nd grade with the Western Reds - players as good junior leaguies would include Paul Kelly and Storm's Matt Duffie is an ex AFL (in NZ) junior
John Hamilton
Roar Pro
I read this article expecting it to be about Josh Hunt. What a disappointment
Toa
Guest
Macca, Everything your claiming looks fundamentally good on paper furthermore theoretically and perceptually assessable when viewing from a platform of your choice hence your answer to my questions will explain what your after from me, again 1 - Provide the names of the players that made the transition from playing a RL 1 – RU 15 at an elite level & who by your estimation never failed? 2- Provide me dialogue from Individuals that have been at transitional coalface mentioning it isn't such a big step up from a Rugby fullback to a league fullback futhermore "you won’t get 2 easier games to transfer between"
Macca
Guest
Dalgety - you can rationalise it all you like but at the end of the day I again come backt to the simple question was he any good any good at playing the game, and the answer is again no.
Macca
Guest
Peter - That was Hunt best season, that was where he peaked, like it or not he did not get any better than that, it is a fact. Why he didn't get any better could be that despite the fact it was only his second season he was already 25, it could be because he just didn't have the body for it (ie he couldn't get fit enough) or it could be that he just wasn't talented enough but the fact of the matter is he didn't get any better from what wasn't that good in the first place. And he wouldn't be the first player not to kick on, that's the reason so many players get delisted rather than retire
Thomas
Guest
Agreed. He took the cash (and who wouldn't), but thereafter he knuckled down and did everything asked of him and more. He provided Suns fans with some great memories and did play a couple of games early in 2012 (specifically against Essendon and Fremantle) that made you think he could just about pull it off, not just as a top up but as a consistent contributor and on - field leader in what was going to be a pretty good side. Shame that he couldn't manage to get on the park. Looking forward to see how he goes with the Reds next year.
Paul
Guest
Yes yes yes, Hunt has played three codes and well done to him . But the reality is he just wasn't a good AFL player. In fact he was one of the worst players statistically playing the game( Even when he was consistently playing). I like the guy. I admire him for his honesty saying how much he is in awe of the his team mates preparation,and that genetically he was perhaps suited better to other sports. Two of Rugby Leagues best players in the modern era could not play AFL well.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
So would you, Macca, analyse Carlton's on-field performance as totally separate from their access to higher picks in the "compromised drafts"? Of course you could, but you would argue (as you have done sooooo many times) this should inform how Carlton's performances are viewed. Likewise a player coming to a foreign sport at 24, in a pioneering move (Mike Pyke had a couple of years of anonymity to develop his game in the reserves), and for a proper analysis of their career you need to consider these factors. The marketing coup brought with it many pressures, including many who scrutinised his every move and willed him to fail. It also meant he didn't have the opportunity to develop his game at a more measured pace. That's the way it is and he'd have to accept these conditions came with his code switch, but that's also the context in which his playing career would be most realistically analysed outside of any agendas.
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
Macca how can a bloke two seasons into an AFL career be at his peak? He hasn't played all life like Parker. You are really clutching at straws. I'm showing you a comparison of his 2012 season to someone who was also in there 2nd AFL season playing in he same position for the same amount of games. You are out of your depth.
Macca
Guest
Toa - did I say it was a walk in the park, no I said it wasn't a big step, I have explained my reasons, that fundamentally the game is the same, if you aren't happy with that too bad, but to date you have not provided any reason why it is difficult. From what you have said you think there are different intellectual requirements, but coming from an AFL background where players are constantly asked to play different roles I can't see why the ability to think strategically different should be a major obstacle, as I have pointed out cricket, basketball tennis and other sports have variations on the game where the same skill set is required but different strategies and thinking are required, changing rugby codes to me falls into this category, if you disagree explain why.
Macca
Guest
Dalgety - I am not talking about amounts they should be paid, I am talking about their ability
Toa
Guest
Anybody who appreciate the difficulties in crossing over to another discipline let alone multiple disciplines has always recognises Jim's achievement as simply amazing - however you wouldn't know that because from your experience a Rugby fullback isn't a big step to a League Fullback or viceaversa
Toa
Guest
Rubbish Macca!! explanation!! Where is your real time evidence to support your so call explanation? Why are you requesting answers from me when your submissions clearly supports that "playing full back in league and playing full back in union isn’t a big step" its a walk in the park - right? I take it your talking from experience Right? OK - I'll help you out, provide me the answer to my question that I've asked numerous times - Provide the names of the players that made the transition from playing a RL 1 – RU 15 at an elite level & who by your estimation never failed? If you respond as requested then you've answered the question you so desperately need from me!!!
Macca
Guest
Out of context? The only context that matters when judging a persons playing career is could they could they play?
Macca
Guest
Hey Toa if you think playing 2 different types of rugby is amazing try googling jim Thorpe,it will blow your mind
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
The other player you would judge their career using their marketing value as context is Izzy Folau and probably throw Nic Nat in there as well. I think I've stated where I stand on his playing ability. Of course you can feel free to judge his playing career out of context if you like, but doing so is disingenuous.
Macca
Guest
Dalgety - Bell isn't going anywhere but if his career finished today the only way you could look as his career was that he was an ordinary player, The excitement around Bell is that his current level is still a base from which he can launch, Hunt never launched and given how much older he is than Bell and the fact that Bell is an elite runner while Hunt couldn't run out the game points to Hunt never being able to achieve what Bell will. As for splitting marketing from his playing I don't see why I should put the 2 together, what other player do we judge the 2 together? I am not discussing whether the Suns got a good deal (considering the AFL paid most his salary I can't see how yet couldn't) I am discussing the simple question of whether Hunt was a good footballer and given how keen you are to avoid the question I know you know the answer is no.
Macca
Guest
Peter Hunt might have been similar to Parker but Parker a) wasn't 26 b) wasn't an integral part of the swans mid field and c) those figures aren't great, the difference is that those figures for Parker were a starting point where as for Hunt they were his peak. Toa - I have explained why switching between the 2 rugbys isn't at big of a stretch and the fact that it is by far the most common of code switches supports my point, you dispute it that's fine but it is time you explained why it is sooo difficult to change between to codes where the game is fundamentally the same.
Johnk
Guest
Hmmm I actually agree with Macca on this one