At the start of the season, Karmichael Hunt claimed he finally felt like an AFL player.
Now he reckons he is playing like one – and some of the game’s biggest names agree.
But the man who became the first NRL convert to AFL reckons a “chip on the shoulder” will ensure he never stops striving to be better.
Hunt could have been wearing his former Brisbane NRL jersey, so bruising are some of the hits he’s becoming renowned for at the Gold Coast.
It prompted legendary Hawthorn hardman Dermott Brereton to tweet last weekend: “Karmichael Hunt might be the most feared player within the Gold Coast Suns”.
And it’s not just his fearless attack on the ball that has turned heads – his drive has prompted Suns assistant and ex-Essendon premiership player Dean Solomon to compare Hunt with James Hird.
“He’s a rare athlete. It’s a big call, but he’s up there with some of the athletes I played with, like Hirdy, the way they drive themselves,” Solomon told SEN radio on Wednesday.
“They go above and beyond to get the best out of themselves.”
While Hunt agreed he was now a “legit” AFL player, the former Test rugby league fullback was hardly satisfied, regardless of the kudos he’s received.
“All of those type of comments are pretty nice but all I can worry about is improving,” Hunt said on Wednesday.
“I have a chip on my shoulder. I approach every day trying to get better. I will have that attitude until I retire.
“That’s how I get the best out of myself. It makes sure I don’t get complacent.
“I am satisfied (with progress) but I have a long way to go.”
While Hunt’s hits have been impressive – just ask Essendon’s Angus Monfries – he expected to knock more “off their feet” once he was able to get his timing right.
But just like in the NRL, Hunt was mindful of the head-high tackle.
“You’ve got to show a duty of care to your opponents, particularly the head region,” he said.
“If someone’s lower than me and their head’s in the way, I’ll look to get out of the way.
“But if it’s a 50-50 ball, I’m going to go after it.
“If I make contact with them, that’s what the tribunal’s for but, hopefully, I don’t have to get into too many of those instances.”