By Michael Whiting

In a huge vote of confidence for rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt, Gold Coast SUNS assistant coach Dean Solomon said the GC SUNS missed his defensive presence against North Melbourne on Saturday night.

Hunt was sent back to the reserves to develop the attacking side of his game, and the move may last just one week after Solomon admitted they felt his absence against the Roos.

The GC SUNS lost by 59 points as North Melbourne celebrated Brent Harvey's club record 312th match in style.

Hunt responded the way Gold Coast SUNS coaching staff had wanted, racking up 25 disposals against two-time defending AFLQ premiers Morningside at Broadbeach on Saturday.

While Solomon said 12 Stephen Silvagni’s could not have defended the Kangaroos on Saturday night - such was the stream of possession coming from the midfield – Hunt was sorely missed.

"Yeah we do miss him a bit, no doubt," Solomon said.

"He's provided some great leadership back there. He's such a competitor and that's what we want among our back six.

"We do miss him, but it's more about education and development of his game going forward that we're looking at right now.

"Internally we're rapt with him. It's been through the media and he's copping the criticism. On the back of eight or nine games he's played, he's shown great leadership values, and on the weekend he's gone back and done exactly what we asked of him which is a credit to himself."

Solomon said while no decision had been made yet, Hunt would clearly come into consideration for Saturday's match against Hawthorn in Launceston.

"We can't ask any more of him," Solomon said.

"We sent him back there to get his hands on the ball a fair bit and get used to that and he's shown just how coachable he is. He's gone back and done that well and has definitely put his hand up."

Hunt said he enjoyed his run in reserves and was happy to continue developing there again this weekend if that's what the coaching staff wanted.

Despite cramping in the fourth quarter, the 24-year-old said he gained confidence the further the match went.

"I had my oxygen tanks screaming out for air for most of the game. It was good to be onball and get my hands on the pill a bit," Hunt said.

"I did feel like some of the players were trying to work me over and keep me away from the ball but I just put my head down and bum up and tried to go after it as much as I could.

"Centre bounces I was trying to be the hunter but on boundary throw-ins and what not I was trying to create a bit of space for [Harley] Bennell and a couple of the other boys.

"It was a good lesson. I really enjoyed being out there and learned a lot of things so I can't wait to keep pushing forward with my game and keep building."