Karmichael Hunt leaves AFL

[Machsy 2,858]

More than $20mil.

The AFL simply couldn't have spent money to get the exposure they did in the media of the northern states.

A full page advertisement every day is no substitute for those papers actually writing articles about the clubs, and giving them credibility.

Hunt, and Israel Foleau instantly brought that to both clubs.

That Karmichael was good enough to compete and even win a game off his own boot (that few non-experimental players can boast) is purely a bonus.

[Supermercado 2,802]

Depends on what you think the money was being paid for.

As far as advertising for the AFL, Hunt was worth $20mil.

He was never recruited for his football prowess, yet still managed to win an AFL match off his own boot.

How much of the free advertising was in Queensland/NSW? You can't count a cent of it generated in SA, WA or Victoria. Exposure in Queensland and NSW would have made up some of it I'm sure, but not surprisingly once they got rid of the charity players and started winning that's when crowds started going up.

As for him winning the game off his own boot big whoop, he proved to be a competent player but plenty of hacks have won games or kicked a few goals once and never been heard of again.

Edited August 29, 2014 by Supermercado

[daisycutter 29,747]

How much of the free advertising was in Queensland/NSW? You can't count a cent of it generated in SA, WA or Victoria. Exposure in Queensland and NSW would have made up some of it I'm sure, but not surprisingly once they got rid of the charity players and started winning that's when crowds started going up.

As for him winning the game off his own boot big whoop, he proved to be a competent player but plenty of hacks have won games or kicked a few goals once and never been heard of again.

including a certain moty

[Machsy 2,858]

How much of the free advertising was in Queensland/NSW? You can't count a cent of it generated in SA, WA or Victoria. Exposure in Queensland and NSW would have made up some of it I'm sure, but not surprisingly once they got rid of the charity players and started winning that's when crowds started going up.

As for him winning the game off his own boot big whoop, he proved to be a competent player but plenty of hacks have won games or kicked a few goals once and never been heard of again.

As above, purely a bonus.

Worth every cent, but only to that club, or to GWS.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Matthews, who coached Brisbane to three consecutive AFL flags in 2001-03, has slammed the decision to recruit the 27-year-old Hunt.

"I don't believe it should have happened five years ago and I just hope we've learnt our lesson," Matthews told Fairfax Radio

“Fair dinkum, the AFL and Gillon, if he went out of his way, it was only to justify the exorbitant money that ends what was an ill-advised, ill-fated experiment with the poaching of Israel Folau and Karmichael Hunt from other sports with financial offers just too good to refuse.”

Edited August 29, 2014 by beelzebub

[Yossarian 1,820]

Interesting seeing the vitriol about Karmichael Hunt's recruitment in this thread, especially from Beelzebub as I thought I blocked him already. Will get to that now. I think it's been a great success and loved seeing a star rugby player have a crack at our sport.

Obviously came over for the money, but he gave it his all, even re-signed amidst huge offers from the rugby codes. Never left anything on the field and would've given a few of our mids a run for their money.

Besides (probs no one reading by this point), as others have said, the money comes back through the exposure it created. Living in Queensland at the time, it was huge news when he kicked that goal against Geelong, then massive when he kicked the winning goal against Richmond. Every time he played, it gave people with no interest in AFL a reason to watch.

[Sir Why You Little 37,166]

Yep i always thought KHunt gave it his all. But for the $$$ cash he was offered who wouldn't!!

Edited August 29, 2014 by why you little

[beelzebub 23,383]

Interesting seeing the vitriol about Karmichael Hunt's recruitment in this thread, especially from Beelzebub as I thought I blocked him already. Will get to that now. I think it's been a great success and loved seeing a star rugby player have a crack at our sport.

Obviously came over for the money, but he gave it his all, even re-signed amidst huge offers from the rugby codes. Never left anything on the field and would've given a few of our mids a run for their money.

Besides (probs no one reading by this point), as others have said, the money comes back through the exposure it created. Living in Queensland at the time, it was huge news when he kicked that goal against Geelong, then massive when he kicked the winning goal against Richmond. Every time he played, it gave people with no interest in AFL a reason to watch.

Have nothing particular against the bloke..but hes obviously a mercenary and thats fine as far as it goes but please dont ask me to fawn at his meagre accomplishments in AFL. Its was a dozey idea and its simply played out as it would. He dipped his toes, laughed all the way to the bank and the game is no better for the experiment despiite what Dill says ans of course thats what he would say.

4 milllion for 44 games ....what a joke

Vitriol ?? lol no...just disgust at yet another waste of money.

[TheoX 1,222]

Yep i always thought KHunt gave it his all. But for the $$$ cash he was offered who wouldn't!!

$cully doesn't seem to give a [censored] on the field.