The Sun also rises
Neil Cordy
The Daily Telegraph
May 10, 201212:00AM
Karmichael Hunt is quickly making an impact in the AFL. Picture: Jerad Williams The Daily Telegraph
KARMICHAEL Hunt has every right to say, "I told you so". Critics from every side of the football divide bagged the former NRL star's switch to the AFL when he made the shock decision in 2009.
They said he had the wrong body shape. Had no idea about the nuances of the game. Would be a liability wherever the coach tried to hide him.
Fast forward to this season and the Gold Coast Sun is one of the form midfielders of the AFL. But Hunt isn't gloating, he's just getting on with the job, which this week means taking on fellow code hopper Israel Folau's GWS Giants. "I'm not sitting here smiling because I've shut a few people up," Hunt told The Daily Telegraph last night.
"I've been knee deep in the process and haven't really thought about what people think," he said.
"I was always going to cop criticism - everyone is entitled to their opinion."
Hunt's performances in the midfield for the Suns have made plenty of experts sit up and take notice.
The key to his improvement has been a vastly improved aerobic capacity, which has allowed him to run in the midfield in the absence of regulars Gary Ablett and Michael Rischitelli.
Hunt has a huge responsibility to help lead the Suns engine room against the Giants, who have identified Saturday's match at Manuka Oval as their best shot at a breakthrough win.
For the first time this season the Giants are at single-figure odds with TAB Sportsbet listing them at $3.05 for the win.
Hunt's improvement has been so dramatic Giants coach Kevin Sheedy has threatened to tag him in Saturday's match.
"It's never happened so there's a first time for everything," Hunt said. "I'm sure I'll get some instructions in how to deal with a tagger from my coaches. It's a compliment in a way."
Sheedy isn't the only Sydney coach paying attention to Hunt's work.
Sydney Swans coach John Longmire doesn't face the Suns until round 18 at Metricon Stadium but has taken note of Hunt's progress.
"He's playing really well," Longmire told The Daily Telegraph. "Since the Gold Coast have had some injuries he's had a more prominent role in the midfield and he's picking up the game really well," Longmire said.
The word on the AFL grapevine is it's not Hunt's pure sporting talent which is making the difference but his attitude: "From what we hear around the place he works really hard at his game and that's half the battle," Longmire said. "We've also heard he's very professional and that's coming through."
Adding to Hunt's achievements is the position he's playing. Most code crossers start in attack or defence but Hunt is battling it out in the trenches of the midfield.
"There's no harder position than being an AFL midfielder, especially coming from another sport and trying to pick the game up - that's as difficult a position as you can play," Longmire said.
"It's about knowing where the angles are and where the traffic is and how to get in and out of trouble. It's also about when to make the tackles and general awareness. He's been able to pick that up really quickly."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6351523900 
Hunt "the most feared player within the suns" 
