Hunt solid on historic AFL night

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Karmichael Hunt has had a solid introduction to the AFL, showing just enough to suggest he may prove the cynics wrong and make a career in a third code.

Greater Western Sydney v Sydney

Blacktown Olympic Park
NAB Cup

Greater Western Sydney     0.0.2   0.0.4 (4)
Sydney Swans     0.7.4   0.13.5 (83)

GOALS
GWS: Nine-point goals: Nil. Goals: Nil.
Sydney Swans: Nine-point goals: Nil Goals: Kennedy 3, Bird 2, Goodes 2, McVeigh, Dennis-Lane, Rohan, Sumner, Johnston, Parker

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Sydney vs Gold Coast

R1 - 19/02/11

Blacktown Olympic Park

Full Time

Sydney SYD22 - 25GCSGold Coast 0.1.1 (7)Q10.1.0 (6)0.3.4 (22)Q20.4.1 (25)Q3Q4GoalsAdam Goodes 1Daniel Harris 1 Mark Seaby 1 Charlie Dixon 1 Jed Lamb 1 Brandon Matera 1 Hayden Jolly 1Gold Coast vs Greater Western Sydney

R1 - 19/02/11

Blacktown Olympic Park

Full Time

Gold Coast GCS52 - 27GWSGreater Western Sydney 0.3.0 (18)Q10.3.1 (19)0.8.4 (52)Q20.4.3 (27)Q3Q4Goals Alik Magin 2Jimmi Savage 1Daniel Harris 1 Isiah Stevens 1 Jarrod Harbrow 1 Jack Hombsch 1 Charlie Dixon 1 Jarrad Harding 1 Brandon Matera 1 Luke Russell 1 Harley Bennell 1

In a historic night at Blacktown Olympic Park, the Suns upset Sydney by three points in their first match in the pre-season cup before they knocked off Greater Western Sydney 0.8.4 (52) to 0.4.3 (27) to ensure a surprise spot in the quarter-finals.

The Swans had opened the night with a crushing 79-point victory over a goal-less GWS, but the Giants showed far more spirit in their second match, 12 months out from their AFL debut.

The Suns play their first game in the season proper against Carlton on April 3, and with the likes of Gary Ablett and Nathan Bock still to come in, they could prove a handful in 2011.

Without Ablett and marquee Giant recruit Israel Folau, the spotlight was on Hunt.

Starting at fullback and still carrying more bulk than a typical AFL defender, the former rugby league international showed reasonable aerobic capacity, albeit in games played over two 20-minute halves.

He had a steadying hand in the young Gold Coast backline, directing traffic and marshalling troops in an encouraging performance, finishing the game against Sydney with six disposals and three marks.

Hunt, who also had a brief stint in French rugby, then had a similar involvement in the second match and Swans coach John Longmire felt Hunt had shown glimpses of talent.

"I was probably more looking at our boys and seeing what they do, so I didn't notice him a lot because I wasn't looking for him to be honest," Longmire said.

"But the times I saw him he did okay a few times."

He also wasn't surprised by the competitiveness of the Suns, saying they've got some "fantastic talent".

David Swallow and Brandon Matera impressed for the Suns, while fellow youngsters Dylan Shiel and Jeremy Cameron showed good signs for GWS.

The AFL would consider the evening a success, with a full-house of 9447 people showing decent support for the Giants.