After being delegated the toughest defensive assignments by senior coach Guy McKenna during the opening premiership rounds, Hunt has relished the important shut-down role that has seen him stand tall against some of the competition’s elite midfielders including Nick Dal Santo, Nathan Jones, Josh Kennedy and rising star Daniel Rich.
And if not given the job of tagging Fremantle’s prolific ball winner David Mundy on Saturday night, Hunt will likely be given the reigns to roam free across half-forward as another lead-up option for his fellow midfielders.
With the code-hopper a proven finisher at goals after his match-winning after-the-siren goal against Richmond last year, the SUNS coaching staff are confident in Hunt’s ability to handle the pressure and convert set-shots at goal when they are presented.
But it is Hunt’s ability to stick tackles and provide 2nd and 3rd defensive efforts around the contest that will determine whether Hunt has the makings to be an elite forward in the competition, which Riley tells goldcoastfc.com.au has been missing in recent weeks.
“He’s been on trial in the forward-six during our games against Port Adelaide and GWS and we feel as though it could be a spot which he might be able to make his own over-time,” said Riley.
“He’s been okay, but we really want to see him improve his tackling and defensive skills around the contest as he’s an intimidating body and can really help us keep the ball in our forward-half.”
Riley believes the move will give Hunt added-value to the team, after already showing he’s equipped to handle any responsibilities in the midfield and in defence.
With the defensive Dockers among the competition leaders in tackles (2nd), Riley said Hunt would be facing an equally-aggressive opposition and hoped the hard-hitting midfielder would take his game to another level at Metricon Stadium this Saturday night.
“They’re the boa-constrictors of the AFL because they squeeze the life of you on every time you go in to battle against them,” said Riley.
“Hunt will need to lift his game and really show us something against the Dockers, but so will each of his teammates as well.”
