Tagger Hunt prepares to match Ablett
GOLD Coast's Karmichael Hunt says he's looking forward to taking on some of the competition's best midfielders during 2013.
The 26-year-old former rugby league star has been earmarked as the SUNS' No. 1 tagger this season, a role that will test his ever-improving endurance.
"I'm relishing it at training," Hunt said at Cadbury Super 9s at Skoda Stadium in western Sydney on Saturday.
"I'll obviously be around the ball a lot more, and hopefully I can get a few jobs done."
Hunt is hoping to test his tagging skills by taking on superstar teammate Gary Ablett at training in the lead-up to the home and away season.
"Gazza has been on the sidelines a bit of late and I haven't been able to mark-up on him, but I'm sure he'll teach me a few lessons once he's ready to go," he said.
"I think he's got every trick in the book, and if he can give me any insight into what he doesn't like, I'm sure it’s going to be beneficial for my game."
The SUNS made headlines late last year when they made public their goal of winning a premiership in the next three seasons.
The bold aim has placed pressure on Gold Coast's youthful team, which has won only six matches in the past two years, to improve quickly.
"I guess we're letting our ambitions be known," Hunt said.
"I guess at this point of the year every AFL club, whether they finished last the season before or finished first, wants to go our there and win a flag. We're no different.
"We're a different team to most in terms of our age and our experience.
"But we think we've got a nucleus of players and younger players to hopefully take us in that direction in the next couple of years.
"So hopefully it comes to fruition."