Karmichael Hunt is pulling the pin on his AFL career in favour of a return to rugby union.
The Gold Coast Suns foundation player confirmed Thursday he will not return to the club in 2015, fuelling speculation of a move to the Queensland Reds.
Looking to take his “next step as an athlete”, Hunt refused to reveal his next destination “out of respect”, leaving behind what he describes is “the best game out there”.
“I will be forever grateful to the AFL and Gold Coast Suns for giving me such an amazing opportunity. I’ve enjoyed every aspect of it and the game and the Suns will always be part of mine and my family’s life,” Hunt said in a club statement.
“Genetics suggest I should be playing another code,” he added.
“I’m confident I’m definitely not going to a game where I’m going to have to run about 12 kilometres every Saturday.”
While the 27-year-old is still a chance for a one final AFL appearance, Hunt is tipped to be the headline act announced at tomorrow night’s Reds’ Super Rugby presentation ball. He could then suit up for the Suns in Sunday’s home and away season send-off against West Coast at Metricon Stadium as Gold Coast look to make the improbable slide back into the eight, however a farewell knock is not something Hunt is in favour of.
“I just wanted to make it clear to him that I’d rather not put my hand up for selection,” Hunt said.
“My time here has come to an end and I know where I’m going to go next year and I’d prefer the opportunity, or the spot in the team, if it was going to be mine, to go to another boy to impress.”
Hunt’s AFL experiment spanned just 44 games over four seasons, culminating in a career best 2012 season in which he averaged a shade under 15 disposals per game, the only year in which he managed double-digit disposals. A broken toe, staph infection and concussion has limited him to just one game this season.
Photo: Chris Hyde/Getty Images
