Karmichael Hunt

[84GF]

Everyone who thinks Hunt won't make it is going to end up with egg on their faces.

There's a chance you're right (and good luck to him), but I think there's a much bigger chance that you're wrong. Time will tell.

To be doing what he is doing now is a great achievement.

No, that's not right - his form so far has been terrible. Looks way out of his depth on the field and the fact that opposition sides target his opponent when entering forward 50 says it all. He wouldn't get a game on merit several levels below AFL seniors. All of which leads to my view that Hunt is an AFL marketing driven novelty and nothing more.

 

[Partridge]

No, that's not right - his form so far has been terrible. Looks way out of his depth on the field and the fact that opposition sides target his opponent when entering forward 50 says it all. He wouldn't get a game on merit several levels below AFL seniors. All of which leads to my view that Hunt is an AFL marketing driven novelty and nothing more.

Exactly right, which no one is prepared to say.

One very simple question - would you be happy if he was playing for your side right now, and displaying the same kind of "form"? Given how much supporters bag their own players for much less indiscretions, you'd think not.

 

[RUNVS]

He's certainly played a lot better than Toy has so far.

Agreed. Toy has been rather useless so far as he seems to lose every single one on one contest he is in.

 

[Rob]

No, that's not right - his form so far has been terrible. Looks way out of his depth on the field and the fact that opposition sides target his opponent when entering forward 50 says it all.

Is that a fact? Given most of their games they're conceding huge scores, wouldn't that mean his opponent is kicking 15 goals every week?

 

[84GF]

Is that a fact?

You're right - my comment that his form has been terrible is opinion, but I believe it's well and truly supported by the facts. The comment was made in response to an earlier post which stated that "what he is doing now is a great achievement" which (another opinion coming) is completely unfounded.

 

[Wagamama]

The positive
There are many great players that show you can contribute at the senior level after coming from another code = tadhg kennelly, mike pike, jim stynes.
Most of the these players get to come to grips with AFL in the magoos. Hats off to K-Mike. Give him some time.

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

You're right - my comment that his form has been terrible is opinion, but I believe it's well and truly supported by the facts. The comment was made in response to an earlier post which stated that "what he is doing now is a great achievement" which (another opinion coming) is completely unfounded.

Yes, "great achievement" is really stretching it, unless of course they call taking big money under false pretences a great achievement. Afterall, it's not every day someone is paid 7 figures for being an abject failure.

I've seen enough of Hunt to know one thing. He will NEVER be anything better than a very average player, so while they keep playing him, they're pretty much wasting their time.

I ask people that if it wasn't Hunt, but a 24 year old recruit from the VFL, how would you be assessing him? I guarantee it wouldn't be very high, some wouldn't be so charitable.

So, for a change, can we get real, stop judging him on his ability to play rugby, and judge his ability to play Aussie Rules? That would be nice.

 

[The_Wookie]

still judging him on his ability to be a role model for people in NSW/QLD to take up the sport, thanks. Ill judge him on ability to play later.

 

[cos789]

So, for a change, can we get real, stop judging him on his ability to play rugby, and judge his ability to play Aussie Rules? That would be nice.

Yes , he seems to be going OK .
In no way can he be called "an abject failure" as you assert .
To be selected at AFL level is an accomplishment .
To be an "average" AFL player is to be a success .

 

[jackrabbitslims]

So KHunts opposition is supportive and says nice things to him. Imagine that happening in a test match against England or a bledislose cup or world tittle fight. This has been reported in NSW.....Ironic.

 

[Bollox]

In so many ways it shits me that Hunt gets the big $ and all the press. Just another example of how little talent it takes to play RL Low brow rubberneck with no footballing brain.

If u want to look at a supreme athlete crossing codes...Mike Pyke makes Hunt look like a useless squib. Pyke hasnt yet become what we'd call quality nor become a genuine threat but you could tell immediately the bloke was a serious and genuine footballer, which is why our club persisted and gave him every chance. The difference in quality as a recurit between him and Hunt is chalk and cheese. There may yet be a day when we think of Pyke as a top 5-10 ruck but not a chance in the world Hunt can ever amount to anything.

Folau will be far worse. Cash is king and wasnt difficult to take the cash and an easy ride for a few yrs knowing u can always go back. Give Pyke some bloody credit.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Does anyone think he'd be in their club's best 22? Or close? Would anyone trade a draft pick for him at the end of the season? If so, which round?

 

[jackrabbitslims]

In so many ways it shits me that Hunt gets the big $ and all the press. Just another example of how little talent it takes to play RL Low brow rubberneck with no footballing brain.

If u want to look at a supreme athlete crossing codes...Mike Pyke makes Hunt look like a useless squib. Pyke hasnt yet become what we'd call quality nor become a genuine threat but you could tell immediately the bloke was a serious and genuine footballer, which is why our club persisted and gave him every chance. The difference in quality as a recurit between him and Hunt is chalk and cheese. There may yet be a day when we think of Pyke as a top 5-10 ruck but not a chance in the world Hunt can ever amount to anything.

Folau will be far worse. Cash is king and wasnt difficult to take the cash and an easy ride for a few yrs knowing u can always go back. Give Pyke some bloody credit.

You obviously dont like RL and fair enough.Iv only been watching Aussie Rules since having fox and id prefere sport than a lame sitcom or something. Iv always found Hunt a very unlikeable character,im not from Queensland. A professional sports person usually appreciates where they are and where thay come from. Sports have different skills and demands.I found that article so lame in propaganda that it was reported in NSW cause of its reverse perception. I mean,, to comment on Barry Hall cause his big and therefor would make a good RL player is so ridiculous,have you checked out the stats on Idris and he is only a center or say ALF langer. This guy if he gets some whopping contract to play union or something will dump on Aussie rules believe me.

 

[BarneyBent]

Do the people writing him off already not realise that he's still learning the game? That, as such, his scope for improvement is VASTLY greater than any other 24 year old in the game? That he's at a very similar stage to, if not further ahead than, Mike Pyke at the same stage?

Comparing him to VFL recruits of the same age would be absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Roddy]

Do the people writing him off already not realise that he's still learning the game? That, as such, his scope for improvement is VASTLY greater than any other 24 year old in the game? That he's at a very similar stage to, if not further ahead than, Mike Pyke at the same stage?

Comparing him to VFL recruits of the same age would be absolutely ridiculous.

Why is he 'learning the game' in the senior side?

 

[Rack Watts]

I played my first year after converting from Rugby last year, there's a whole lot to get used to, playing on a direct opponent being the hardest of them all, he'll probably lose his opponent a fair bit but wait until he confuses someone running at him with a well timed goosey.

 

[84GF]

Do the people writing him off already not realise that he's still learning the game? That, as such, his scope for improvement is VASTLY greater than any other 24 year old in the game? That he's at a very similar stage to, if not further ahead than, Mike Pyke at the same stage?

Comparing him to VFL recruits of the same age would be absolutely ridiculous.

Like we've discussed previously, 'scope for improvement' has to take into account an individual's potential for improvement, not just the amount they have to learn. Karmichael Hunt's potential for improvement is limited by the fact that he is learning the game at a relatively late stage in his sporting life.

You still haven't stated whether you think he will become a good player at AFL level.

 

[quicksilver2008]

I still dont know why they got him playing in defence and having to anticipate forward leads all the time. He needs to know how to read the play better to be a truly great defensive back like the shaws and the fletchers. (not that im expecting him to be) But if your getting payed a large chunk of the salary cap there has to be some huge expectation on his shoulders from the team for him to pick the game up quicker then he is. Or was he just a sacrifice to get more bums on seats?

I just think hes playing out of position he would be more valuable going after the ball in stoppages and getting clearances for the team instead of playing infront of a forward and being judged on how many goals his opponent kicks on him.
As long as he creates a contest i think thats all the Suns can ask of him at this stage of his development.

He may not be able to kick straight to be a forward but surely his ability charge through a loose ball pack and scoop the ball up without any fear, find a gap and left foot step his way out of trouble with his evasive skills be better suited? wouldnt hurt to give him a go in there! move over Ablett and release the raging bull
Always thought he was nuts the way he charged recklessly at defenses in the NRL. There was never a soft option like running sideways across the field when it came to Hunt he would always charge straight at the defensive brickwall karmacarze style so to speak.
His talent is wasted where he is!

 

[The_Wookie]

watched the crows game on the weeked, and his kicking is not the problem most of the time. its all positioning. hes no better or worse at most aspects of the game than most of the other players in his team. Id be tempted to play him up forward.

 

[cos789]

Why is he 'learning the game' in the senior side?

At any one time , in every AFL team there are players "learning the game" as clubs attempt to achieve balance between the present and future position .

 

[cos789]

Karmichael Hunt's potential for improvement is limited by the fact that he is learning the game at a relatively late stage in his sporting life.

Like any "mature" age recruit .

 

[Sidebottom2Beams]

It is also hard for the bloke when he has regularly been playing on guys 6'5 and above in multiple games this year.I find it funny Essendon supporters are on here bagging him considering how their defence looked under Knights when the ball was flying out of forward 50 and goals were almost a certainty due to no pressure.Yet a bloke playing in the backline of a team full of kids who cannot keep up at the moment is a spud.

I would hate to think of what you have thought of your defence over the last couple of years as it was obviously Fletchers Pears and Hookers and Hurleys fault you had so many goals kicked against you. It is odd he kept Dangerfield to 0 possessions in the first quarter when the team was playing exceptionally well then struggled when the team was getting flogged and the ball was flying into the 50 constantly.

With the ball coming in so quickly and so often very few backlines if any would be able to stand up to the pressure, he is doing well at the moment and i think has been a good pick up.

 

[BarneyBent]

Like we've discussed previously, 'scope for improvement' has to take into account an individual's potential for improvement, not just the amount they have to learn. Karmichael Hunt's potential for improvement is limited by the fact that he is learning the game at a relatively late stage in his sporting life.

Yep, it's limited, though to what extent is anybody's guess. But the fact is that Hunt has more to learn than Toy, so by definition has more room for improvement, more upside, in that particular area. Will he learn it? Who knows, maybe, maybe not, but there's never any guarantee of the extent to which potential will be reached.

You still haven't stated whether you think he will become a good player at AFL level.

That's because I don't know, and I'm not arrogant enough to think I do. I also don't know whether Toy will be a good player, or who will be better of the two. Neither have given any decent indicator of how good they'll eventually be.

 

[84GF]

Like any "mature" age recruit .

Mature age recruits like Barlow, Curnow, Crameri, Podsiadly, Hardingham, etc didn't pick up a ball 12 months ago and start learning the game from scratch. Hunt is learning from scratch as a 24yo.

That's because I don't know, and I'm not arrogant enough to think I do. I also don't know whether Toy will be a good player, or who will be better of the two. Neither have given any decent indicator of how good they'll eventually be.

If you don't know or don't have an opinion, why enter the debate? Simply to criticise other people's views?

I've stated pretty clearly that I think Hunt is an AFL marketing novelty and his on field performances back that up (his effort in the first minute of the second quarter in the Adelaide game illustrates my point). If he develops into a good footballer, I'll be the first to acknowledge it, but chances of this happening are extremely remote.

 

[84GF]

But the fact is that Hunt has more to learn than Toy, so by definition has more room for improvement, more upside, in that particular area. Will he learn it? Who knows, maybe, maybe not, but there's never any guarantee of the extent to which potential will be reached.

Julia Gillard has more to learn about playing footy than Karmichael Hunt - by your definition, that means she has more 'room for improvement, more upside'. Your definition is flawed because you ignore other attributes of potential.