Rubbed out
Hunt out for rest of season
KARMICHAEL Hunt’s second season in the AFL is officially over after the Suns last night confirmed the rugby league convert would not be risked in the club’s final two matches.
Hunt, 34 games into his AFL career, hurt his shoulder against Melbourne in the 19th round.
Suns officials opted not to risk Hunt in the remaining two matches in a bid to have him in perfect shape for the 2013 preseason.
Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft said the decision was made i n consultation with specialists yesterday. ‘‘ We got the specialist’s report and it recommended he be rested, that he is not going to be right to play,’’ Ashcroft said.
The official description of Hunt’s problem is a strain of the sterno clavicular joint, where the collarbone meets the sternum.
‘‘If he copped another decent hit to the area it could go to the extent of blocking his airway,’’ Ashcroft said.
Hunt does not require surgery, just time to let the injury heal.
It ends a breakthrough year for Hunt.
Many thought his signing was nothing more than a marketing stunt, but Hunt has evolved into a genuine AFL player.
Ashcroft said Hunt’s progress had been excellent, on and off the football field where he became a highly-respected member of the leadership group.
‘‘I think he’s had a great season and definitely improved on last year,’’ Ashcroft said. ‘‘He obviously played more midfield and had a bigger effect on games.
‘‘Not necessarily on amount of ball he had, but more of the way he could impact on contests. He had a valuable year from that point of view.’’
Hunt has given the AFL muchneeded credibility after Israel Folau’s $6 million disaster.
The GWS recruit was ranked 415th out of 416 players who have taken the field this year in the competition.