[Rumour] The Hunt for Karmichael's return to Broncos.

[Patto]

I don't think Hunt would go as bad in the halves as people think.... Without a doubt AFL will have improved his vision, awareness, fitness and kicking game whilst his agility may not have proved but neither would have it have suffered. Sure it would take him time to re-customise himself to the game, but getting used to the contact again, remembering defensive skills (both of which defined him as a player back in the good old days) and developing an adequate passing game is something that could be picked up very quickly for a player of his youth and skill set.

Remembering that he's an old and experienced head on still young shoulders, with very promising leadership skills, that sounds like a dam good halves partner for someone like Milford... A leader and organiser who can take responsibility for getting the team rolling forward and the majority of kicking duties. His running game will come back to him and if anything his support game will be improved by all his fitness. As a guy whose professionalism is reminiscent of Cronk I have no doubt the awareness and vision that is required of someone playing AFL will help him to very quickly learn to also create for others....

I for one would be bloody amped to have him in our colours again.

 

[Rhys van Beurden]

No Cookies | The Courier-Mail

KARMICHAEL Hunt's million dollar price tag is not the major stumbling block for the Titans in their bid to lure the high profile code-hopper back to the NRL.
Rather, it is their own powerbroker Michael Searle.
Hunt has not forgotten Searle's stunning attack back in 2009 when he described the former Broncos' code switch as "desperate", a "circus" and "destined to fail", and Hunt "a gun for hire, a mercenary''.
Searle also said the move to make Hunt the Suns' first signing had the potential to be the ''most expensive media stunt in the history of sport''.
Now, new Titans CEO Graham Annesley says Hunt's profile is a major reason behind their interest.


"Karmichael is a huge star anywhere in Queensland and in southeast Queensland in particular because of what he has done in the AFL,'' he said.
Hunt, typically, was unfussed by yesterday's report of the Titans' interest.
"I haven't bought into it,'' he said.
"I'm just getting my head around leaving for Arizona for our training camp on Sunday."
Hunt's price tag may not be a major issue.
The AFL supplement a major portion of his $1m salary and there are no guarantees they will continue the arrangement beyond this year.
It means any potential bidding war could be fought on a level playing field.
When reports of another potential code switch started to surface, Gold Coast AFL football manager Marcus Ashcroft and list manager Scott Clayton sat him down for a heart-to-heart.
The message was "We'd love you to stay but will respect any decision you make."


Hunt insisted he was 100 per cent committed to the Suns and promised them he would be with the club in 2014.
He kept that promise and on Sunday leaves for Arizona to begin another pre-season.
But it hasn't stopped the suitors.
Hunt has been linked to the Titans, Broncos and most recently former coach Wayne Bennett's Knights.
Suns CEO Travis Auld yesterday described Hunt as a required and valued member of the club.
"Injuries were a real source of frustration for Karmichael last year, but he has continually shown that he is an elite and very determined athlete and we are certainly confident that he will again make a significant on field contribution next season,'' he said.
"Karmichael has achieved so much in our game and we still believe he has plenty to offer."

Whilst obviously mainly referencing the Titans plans to have a shot at picking up Hunt, I think this article all but confirms he WON'T be at the Broncos for 2014 in the very least, considering he is heading overseas for pre-season training with the Suns. LOLs at the comments about his achievements in AFL, however.

 

[jarro65]

Let's just forget about him and concentrate on getting one of our young guns up and running instead.

We've got quite a few potential future stars coming through now, so let's develop them instead of bring back the money grabber !

 

[Old Mate]

If we somehow signed him which I don't expect will happen I think one of the wing spots will be the best position for him.

After being out of the game since 2009 there is every possibility he won't be playing at the same level he was and the wing doesn't really require a lot of skill, a good winger just needs some speed to burn, a good strong running game, the ability to finish off a back-line movement and the ability to defend although having some game-reading skills would help greatly.

Some might call for him to play in the halves but he never played in the halves once for us and only played in the halves once for Queensland but got showed up from memory. Picking someone to play in the halves after only playing their once before and after being out of the game for 4 years and being made to play probably the most important position is to much of a risk.

He did play halfback for us and looked good iirc.

 

[Anonymous person]

He did play halfback for us and looked good iirc.

he looked anything but good in all of his time in the halves.

and lol at someone suggesting his defensive skills were part of what defined him. he didnt have any defensive skills lol. all he had was a pathetic shoulder charge attempt that more often than not resulted in him getting steamrolled.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Yeah I have to say it was less then stellar and not keen to revisit that tbh, for me it comes down to this, a real prospect like Milford, a proven star in DCE or we go with the talent coming through, Hunt won't come for crumbs and I don't see the point in overpaying him when you could get better. I for one would be glad to see the Titans overpaying for him.

 

[Manbush]

We've got quite a few potential future stars coming through now, so let's develop them instead of bring back the money grabber !

Really? How many Broncos played in the latest u20s test or even made the train on squads?

 

[GCBRONCO]

Really? How many Broncos played in the latest u20s test or even made the train on squads?

I dunno, how many Canberra raiders players in first grade have won a premiership? Sure as hell achieved squat since 1994.

 

[Manbush]

I dunno, how many Canberra raiders players in first grade have won a premiership? Sure as hell achieved squat since 1994.

Haha nice change of subject, I commented on juniors mate.

For the record Broncos had 0 (same number of senior Raiders to have won a premiership). With the addition of Barba and Milf your first grade squad is looking decent but your juniors would be a real concern for H/O which is why I'm guessing they've finally decided to invest in Logan who provided 2 to the train on squad.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Haha nice change of subject, I commented on juniors mate.

For the record Broncos had 0 (same number of senior Raiders to have won a premiership). With the addition of Barba and Milf your first grade squad is looking decent but your juniors would be a real concern for H/O which is why I'm guessing they've finally decided to invest in Logan who provided 2 to the train on squad.

All tongue in cheek mate but fair call and btw thats actually incorrect that the Broncos had 0, Corey Oates was named for the train on squad after the side lost to the Tigers in a tight match but pulled out of it because of shoulder surgery.

 

[broncos4life]

Really? How many Broncos played in the latest u20s test or even made the train on squads?

He's referring to guys like Ashley Taylor that are a year or two off. Anyway we can always sign you stars if we need to bolster a position, so no need to bring back harmichael

 

[Manbush]

All tongue in cheek mate but fair call and btw thats actually incorrect that the Broncos had 0, Corey Oates was named for the train on squad after the side lost to the Tigers in a tight match but pulled out of it because of shoulder surgery.

Oops I stand corrected, the list I saw didn't include him but that must've been written after he withdrew

 

[Manbush]

He's referring to guys like Ashley Taylor that are a year or two off. Anyway we can always sign you stars if we need to bolster a position, so no need to bring back harmichael

In all seriousness that's what the Broncos should be looking to do with the lack of stars in your current juniors, we have two perfect replacements for Parker and Hodges who should be ripe when your two are ready to retire and they are both Logan boys.

 

[GCBRONCO]

Oops I stand corrected, the list I saw didn't include him but that must've been written after he withdrew

To be fair it was an easy one to make actually, he was named a day or two after that game in the train on squad, then a couple of days later had to pull out because it became more clear he needed shoulder surgery.

 

[jarro65]

Really? How many Broncos played in the latest u20s test or even made the train on squads?

No idea ?? .. but i'm sure you can tell me.

Do you doubt that we have any juniors that can go on to become NRL stars ?

 

[Splinter]

Really? How many Broncos played in the latest u20s test or even made the train on squads?

Our U20s stars all turned 18 this year and would not have developed enough for an U20s test. The commentators in our semi final stated that they are going to be some team over the next 18 months to two years.
You know absolutely nothing about our juniors but leave the Greenhouse to come on here and spout BS. How about you worry about the great juniors you have had for years that have not won a premiership.

 

[Manbush]

Depends on your definition of "quite a few" and "stars", only 1 was considered good enough for the train on squad ( a few 18yo's from other teams made the squad and at least one 17yo so age of your players is irrelevant) and even more damning only 3 were worthy of u20s Qld team this year.

Not sure how your u18s and 16s are though so could be a few good ones coming through them that I'm not aware of.

Wasnt trying to be a smart arse just don't expect too much from your current u20s unless they are late bloomers, I think H/O knows this hence your shopping spree, investing in Logan and pinching Edwards.

 

[Big Pete]

Well let's clarify things, only three players 18 and under made the squad and only Meehan was considered as 18th man off the bench.

By this logic, Nick Kenny was an Australian test standard prop.

Why would you comment if you don't have a clear idea of who's coming through the pipeline? Sick of people sprouting cliches? Because using these U/20 rep teams as a guide really doesn't do you justice.

Splinter nailed it, the squad is still fairly young and it'd be foolish to make a judgement call one way or another. However, deciding to stick with these players instead of throwing a million at Karmichael is far from the worst idea.