Karmichael Hunt's Big AFL Punt Dan Ginnane 29 July, 2009 - 1:55 PM

Hey Folau, fancy joining me in 2011? (Pic: Getty Images)

Karmichael Hunt has the most to lose from this stunning code switch to AFL.

Regardless of whether or not Hunt plays a single match of premiership AFL, the new Gold Coast franchise has bought itself eighteen months of buzz leading into their debut. Like all expansion clubs, GC17 will field an abundance of recycled journeyman and a collection of potential young superstars yet to make an impression on the public.

It needed a central figure to capture the Queensland public. Who better than a major player in the state’s most popular code?

Find out what clinched the deal for Karmichael Hunt


When Wendell Sailor joined rugby union in 2002, it was a media bonanza for the ARU. This is a far bigger coup.

Sure, rugby league has been hit hard with yet another defection, but it now offloads a player who had become a PR problem. A brilliant athlete, his antics in a public bathroom last September left a stench still yet to clear. A talent like this simply cannot be replaced, however the code has repeatedly demonstrated its powers to regenerate.

That leaves the man himself. With the AFL salary cap nearly double that of NRL, Hunt instantly becomes much richer, however at the age of 22, Hunt could have plied his trade in league or union for the next eight to ten years for a solid pay packet. Moving to AFL offers no such guarantee.

If he hasn’t made his mark by the end of the new franchise’s second season, there’s little chance GC17 would take the risk a second time. Hunt could find himself in purgatory.

Karmichael Hunt says he wants a new challenge. He might need to be careful what he wishes for.

Do you think Hunt has made the right call?

(14)

• Timmy Gee says

  Introducing Hunt into the AFL might be just the tonic for the current breed of AFL super robots.

  Posted Wednesday 29 July, 2009 2:00 PM
• Todd says

  If he can keep away from the bathroom stalls, it'll be intriguing how the rest of the players receive him. Especially if he turns out to be rubbish!

  Posted Wednesday 29 July, 2009 2:01 PM
• CF says

  Who cares !!!

  Posted Wednesday 29 July, 2009 2:16 PM
• dave says

  NRL players are far more skillful than AFL players therefore the switch to the amateur code should be an easy one for K. Hunt.

  Posted Wednesday 29 July, 2009 3:01 PM
• Ash says

  Just shows how all other sports respects the athleticism of the NRL players. Good luck Karmichael u did QLD proud..... Hope to see you back one day.

  Posted Wednesday 29 July, 2009 3:20 PM
• Steve says

  Hunt can do anything-extrodinary talent, I might even start watchin AFL since he will be playin

  Posted Wednesday 29 July, 2009 3:39 PM
• camel says

  Fantastic decision.The ARU has been poaching players for years so why not the AFL.Instead of whinging about it why doesn't the NRL poach AFL players.Barry Hall would be perfect he likes hitting blokes when there not looking.

  Posted Wednesday 29 July, 2009 6:50 PM
• Ian says

  Good on him. Honestly, who would want to be an NRL player these days, too much bad publicity. Carmicheal is obviously one of the smart ones and realizes that AFL is a much better game.

  Posted Wednesday 29 July, 2009 7:52 PM
• Patrick Wilson says

  As a rugby league fan its sad to see the game in decline but that is the reality. The AFL indicated a couple of years ago that just this type of thing would occur. The general AFL player is paid more than the general NRL player and the AFL is a truly national competition. I think we're likely to see more defections from NRL to AFL in the future. The AFL is, by any measure you want to use the pre-eminent football code in Australia. The NRL, recent controversies aside, is played in a limited national context and limited international context. The game is particularly under threat in NSW and it may be such that QLD will become the last bastion of Rugby League before disappearing completely.

  Posted Wednesday 29 July, 2009 8:46 PM
• Craig says

  I must say that it is a very smart move to grab an nrl player so that some fans will watch the game just to see him play. It's smart but it won't work on me. afl will never make it big in qld.

  Posted Wednesday 29 July, 2009 10:19 PM

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