Suns player Karmichael Hunt sweats it out during weights training. Picture: Luke Marsden. Source: News Limited
THE honeymoon is over for Karmichael Hunt.
In his third season in the AFL Hunt's ability to do his job could determine the Suns' chances of success.
You could also say the honeymoon might be over for the competition's best midfielders when they play the Suns.
Because Hunt intends to attach himself to the opposition's best ball winner and wage a head-to-head battle in the trenches.
Hunt keeps low expectations
And he has been told by coach Guy McKenna to start throwing his weight around.
He claimed the scalp of Melbourne ball magnet Nathan Jones in the Suns' final practice match and this week his sights are likely to be set on St Kilda star Lenny Hayes.
It may be a shut-down role but the wrecking ball firmly insists his plan is to beat his man to the footy.
"Bluey said to me, your greatest strength is your strength and if the best way of stopping them is by winning the
ball then go ahead," he said.
"When I played against Jones that was probably the case at the stoppages and that is how I'll go about it during the year."
Hunt will be told tomorrow who his opponent will be but the indications are Hayes will be his target given he is the Saints' main extractor.
It is a whole new ball game from his year-long apprenticeship in the midfield last season where he was given free reign to chase the footy and try and get a few kicks.
McKenna has declared the code-hopper will now be judged on the impact he has on the opposition's best and Hunt relishes the role.
"It is pretty cool getting a designed role for yourself, especially if you can execute," he said.
"I've always been about doing what is best for the team, I'll just go out there and do what the coaches ask of me.
"It is pretty fun."
Preparing for footy has suddenly become more technical. His new job involves video sessions and extra work with midfield coach Matthew Primus.
"You do more study on your direct opponent," he said.
He was given a crash course just days before playing Melbourne at Southport last week and later won rave reviews from McKenna for the job he did on Jones the reigning Melbourne best and fairest and a veteran of 135 games.
St Kilda has personnel issues in the back six, ahead of Saturday's clash at Metricon Stadium, with All-Australian Sean Dempster out with a hamstring injury and Rhys Stanley (knee) and Sam Fisher (foot) in doubt.
The Suns' tall forwards and rucks Charlie Dixon, Zac Smith, Stephen May and Sam Day are all in good touch and hope to be able to get on top of the weakened Saints defence.
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