(Very) Special-K

There can be little doubt that the marketing strategy that saw Karmichael Hunt signed to the Gold Coast Suns was based as much on curiosity value as any realistic expectation that Hunt could reach the pinnacle in a third football code.

 

The man they call Special-K gave us a glimpse last year with his first goal in AFL football, but has elevated his performance to a substantial degree in his second season.

 

Where, last year, pundits focussed on the smallish number and lowish quality of his possessions, this season the commentary has been almost universally positive about his value to the Suns’ midfield. His dream-fulfilling after-the-siren goal this weekend has put the stamp of approval on his fledgling AFL career.

 

It is, by any measure, a significant achievement to gain the industry’s respect. We think a return to NRL or rugby is no longer the main danger to the Suns retaining their code-jumping champion. Surely his next objective will be to conquer a fourth football code — the round ball game — before moving on to the NFL!

 

We hope that The Promised Land can emulate Special-K’s development, even if it might take a little longer. We need to remember that Hunt is 28 and had already mastered two, albeit rather similar, codes. Folau is a relative baby at 23 and even life-long AFL players of his size can struggle to hit their straps before their mid-twenties.