A contrite Karmichael Hunt has vowed to repay the faith shown in him by Australian rugby in the wake of his drugs scandal.
Hunt faced the media on Friday morning at Ballymore, a day after he pleaded guilty in a Gold Coast court to four counts of possessing cocaine.
The Queensland Reds’ player escaped a conviction and with his career intact, with the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) and Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) choosing to stand by the code-hopper instead of cutting him loose.
Hunt admitted he feared the worst when he received notice of the charges, which relate to a period last year when he was contracted to the AFL’s Gold Coast.
“I’ve been sitting in a pretty vulnerable place for the last couple of weeks,” he said.
“I don’t want to lie and say I didn’t fear the worst.
“What I did know is I’d made a mistake that is not too uncommon these days.
“It doesn’t make me a bad man for it but, obviously, I’m disappointed in those decisions I made back then and how it landed me in this position now.”
Hunt’s barrister Alastair McDougall told the court on Thursday his client’s charges were part of a “misguided post-season celebration”.
Asked if it was his only encounter with cocaine, Hunt said: “I don’t have a perfect past. That’s all I can say on that.”
He later added: “It’s a problem society is facing – it’s not a footy-orientated problem. It’s a wider issue here.
“I just want to do the necessary counselling and get the understanding of what goes through people’s heads when they make the decision to cross that boundary.”
Hunt has been issued a six-week ban by the ARU and QRU, which has been backdated to allow him to resume his Super Rugby duties on April 3 with the Reds against the Melbourne Rebels.
The 28-year-old has also been fined $30,000 and stripped of the Queensland vice-captaincy. Hunt thanked the QRU for its support.
“Obviously, the charges relate to a time where I wasn’t contracted to the Reds,” he said.
“They could easily have wiped their hands clean and said they didn’t want to have anything to do with it and I appreciate that.
“I can’t repay the faith overnight but I look forward to hopefully repaying the faith over the next couple of years on the field and off the field.”
Marty
Guest
Many things people choose to do in life is risk versus reward. All morals, ethics and legalities aside Hunt risked a wealthy and rewarding career for a few grams of coke. That in itself defies logic. I really don't care how widespread of accepted coke use is. It's an illegal substance and not condoned by the greater society. He got off very, very lightly. "showing remorse" is the biggest load of BS in our current legal system. A system hopefully based on evidence not simple opinion. I'm sure he was remorseful for the damage to his profile after being caught.
dho
Guest
Have you ever been to a mad Monday celebration? I'm assuming not. If you have then I can guarantee this kind of stuff was going on but no one wanted you to know for fear of the judgement you seem quite happy to dole out. This bloke has put his hand up and said he did the wrong thing and is obviously having a good look at himself. Get out of your bubble there is a whole world out there which you have no idea about. I was listening to radio the other day and heard from some numpty comment that he should be executed like those other Bali nine druggies. I come from a fairly similar background and the same area as this guy knowing him and his cousin (who was a good friend of mine) as a teenager and it's pretty low level in that world. Easy for someone to say from particularly privileged background (not that it also doesn't happen there) who has zero idea what the majority of Australians get up to on their weekends. Ignorance and fear is a dangerous mix. What I will say is that alcohol whilst legal causes far more destruction. Yet apparently that's ok... Was the story about how he got high on coke and attacked a bouncer? Or abused staff at an airport? Or caused public damage? All of those things are illegal. As is buying drugs for the mean time only God can judge. Sounds to me that he is paying a pretty penny for an eightball which has turned into a bad time for him. Should be lesson learned move on.
Waz
Guest
What makes me laugh, all they had were tapped phone calls not actual possession. CCC reckon they got a big scalp from it! I reckon all he did was ordered a couple of grams for himself or a mate at cost price. The amount spent on it outweighs $2,500 fine. sure, he shouldn't have done it as it tarnished the game, but you need to put into context its a molehill turned into a mountain by the media. The ARU/ Reds hit him hard enough with the 50K fine and 6 week suspension. Everyone deserves a second chance, I reckon he will now put his head down and do the hard work with the Reds!
pjm
Roar Rookie
Just get your civi mate to get them next time Karm.
toa
Guest
From the great Wayne Bennett: "As a former Queensland police officer, father and professional rugby league coach for the past 30 years, I appreciate that whilst young people always have the opportunity to make their own choices, it is rare for young people to always make the right choices," - again - “It’s a problem society is facing”
Common Sense
Guest
Drugs in sport are fine. It just depends on which drugs.
Sports Doc
Guest
Cmon guys, the guy seems contrite. Everyone deserves a second chance. If he does it again, kick him out but otherwise, there are worse behaviour than taking recreational drugs (although I abhor it).
Disappointed Reds Fan
Guest
Sorry but you lost me when you said "It’s a problem society is facing". You are 28 years old not a 17 year kid trying to get acceptance from your peers. Anyway there is still time to see if you have anything to contribute to the Reds this year.
Ian Dean
Guest
The ARU should be ashamed of itself with the slap on the wrist administered to Karmichael Hunt. What kind of message are you sending? He should have received 12 months and at least $50,000 as a warning to himself and to any else who thinks drugs and sport are OK. But no you were too anxious to protect a marquee player at the expense of your own integrity. You have let down all Rugby players and followers. Hang your heads in shame.