TITAN PETE
04-04-11, 05:02 PM
Source: The Daily Telegraph
THE AFL's multimillion-dollar Queensland rugby league recruiting raid is off to a stumbling start after Karmichael Hunt struggled and Israel Folau became the invisible man at the weekend.
Hunt managed only five possessions in the Suns' debut 119-point loss to Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday night, while Folau did not have any in the Greater Western Sydney's 96-point loss to the Swans reserves in Sydney on Sunday.
The statistics for Folau, who turned 22 on Sunday, were only two tackles and one hit-out after he played fullback, centre-half forward and ruck.
Folau has a four-year deal with GWS worth $3.6 million but, given his modest kicking skills, is widely considered a lesser chance of making the grade than Hunt.
Suns coach Guy McKenna conceded Hunt was below his best but would hold his place for Saturday's clash with the Bulldogs.
With the Brisbane Lions losing by 78 points to the Western Bulldogs and seemingly on course for a modest season, the AFL could face the prospect of losing ground to rugby league in Queensland this winter if the Suns do not improve on their opening effort.
The Titans, key rivals of the Suns on the Gold Coast, upset the tipsters by beating Canberra 23-22 in extra time on Saturday.
THE AFL's multimillion-dollar Queensland rugby league recruiting raid is off to a stumbling start after Karmichael Hunt struggled and Israel Folau became the invisible man at the weekend.
Hunt managed only five possessions in the Suns' debut 119-point loss to Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday night, while Folau did not have any in the Greater Western Sydney's 96-point loss to the Swans reserves in Sydney on Sunday.
The statistics for Folau, who turned 22 on Sunday, were only two tackles and one hit-out after he played fullback, centre-half forward and ruck.
Folau has a four-year deal with GWS worth $3.6 million but, given his modest kicking skills, is widely considered a lesser chance of making the grade than Hunt.
Suns coach Guy McKenna conceded Hunt was below his best but would hold his place for Saturday's clash with the Bulldogs.
With the Brisbane Lions losing by 78 points to the Western Bulldogs and seemingly on course for a modest season, the AFL could face the prospect of losing ground to rugby league in Queensland this winter if the Suns do not improve on their opening effort.
The Titans, key rivals of the Suns on the Gold Coast, upset the tipsters by beating Canberra 23-22 in extra time on Saturday.