ID :
171905
Wed, 03/30/2011 - 13:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/171905
The shortlink copeid
Carey says Hunt not ready for AFL
(AAP) - Three AFL modern masters are divided on whether rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt is ready to play for premiership points.
Hall of famer and two-time North Melbourne premiership captain Wayne Carey is so adamant that Hunt does not deserve a senior berth, he argues that the high-profile recruit could cause division in the Gold Coast team.
But Hunt's captain Gary Ablett and fellow Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd are equally sure that the code hopper has done enough to earn his spot.
Hunt and the Suns will make their official AFL debuts this Saturday night against Carlton at the `Gabba.
Judd, the Blues' captain, will play his 200th game - but most of the focus during the match will be on how Hunt performs.
"Karmichael Hunt, if it was anyone else, he wouldn't be getting a game," Carey told the Back Page Lead website.
"I don't think he's done enough, I haven't seen him get any more than 15 possessions, albeit I haven't seen all of their (pre-season) games.
"I haven't seen the way he's trained, I've seen him from afar, I've watched his skills.
"If he's going in there purely to negate someone, as a defender, and he does that, is that just good enough in today's footy to justify a position.
"Well, it was 10 years ago, it's not any more."
Carey went further, saying Suns team-mates with AFL experience might become disgruntled if Hunt cannot show he can hold down a senior position on merit.
"(They) see Karmichael Hunt getting a game ahead of them, and they're saying 'well, hang on, this bloke can't kick left foot, he can't handball, he can't really mark as good as me, but they're playing him'," Carey said.
"That could cause a little bit of a rift."
But Ablett and Judd agreed that Hunt had done enough during the pre-season to show he belongs in the Suns' best 22.
"The more games he gets under his belt, the more it's going to help him with experience," Ablett said.
"There are a lot of expectations on him, which is not fair.
"He's picking it up quickly and the more games he plays the better it's going to be for him."
Judd is wary of Hunt's tackling ability, a major strength for the ex-league star.
"He's done pretty well in his NAB Cup games," Judd said.
"He's been pretty focused on his defensive work, he's pretty strong, and obviously his tackling is a real feature for them.
"We respect him as we do all the other guys starting out at the Gold Coast."
Hall of famer and two-time North Melbourne premiership captain Wayne Carey is so adamant that Hunt does not deserve a senior berth, he argues that the high-profile recruit could cause division in the Gold Coast team.
But Hunt's captain Gary Ablett and fellow Brownlow Medallist Chris Judd are equally sure that the code hopper has done enough to earn his spot.
Hunt and the Suns will make their official AFL debuts this Saturday night against Carlton at the `Gabba.
Judd, the Blues' captain, will play his 200th game - but most of the focus during the match will be on how Hunt performs.
"Karmichael Hunt, if it was anyone else, he wouldn't be getting a game," Carey told the Back Page Lead website.
"I don't think he's done enough, I haven't seen him get any more than 15 possessions, albeit I haven't seen all of their (pre-season) games.
"I haven't seen the way he's trained, I've seen him from afar, I've watched his skills.
"If he's going in there purely to negate someone, as a defender, and he does that, is that just good enough in today's footy to justify a position.
"Well, it was 10 years ago, it's not any more."
Carey went further, saying Suns team-mates with AFL experience might become disgruntled if Hunt cannot show he can hold down a senior position on merit.
"(They) see Karmichael Hunt getting a game ahead of them, and they're saying 'well, hang on, this bloke can't kick left foot, he can't handball, he can't really mark as good as me, but they're playing him'," Carey said.
"That could cause a little bit of a rift."
But Ablett and Judd agreed that Hunt had done enough during the pre-season to show he belongs in the Suns' best 22.
"The more games he gets under his belt, the more it's going to help him with experience," Ablett said.
"There are a lot of expectations on him, which is not fair.
"He's picking it up quickly and the more games he plays the better it's going to be for him."
Judd is wary of Hunt's tackling ability, a major strength for the ex-league star.
"He's done pretty well in his NAB Cup games," Judd said.
"He's been pretty focused on his defensive work, he's pretty strong, and obviously his tackling is a real feature for them.
"We respect him as we do all the other guys starting out at the Gold Coast."
