Josh Hunt

Joshua Hunt (born 14 March 1982) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Geelong Football Club and Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League (AFL).

This article is about the Australian rules footballer. For the racing cyclist, see Joshua Hunt.

Josh Hunt
Personal information
Full name Joshua Hunt
Date of birth (1982-03-14) 14 March 1982
Place of birth Geraldton, Western Australia
Original team(s) Mildura Imperials (Sunraysia FL)
Bendigo Pioneers (TAC Cup)
Draft No. 44, 2000 national draft
Height 186 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight 100 kg (220 lb)
Position(s) Back pocket
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
2001–2013 Geelong 198 (29)
2014 Greater Western Sydney 14 (4)
Total 212 (33)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 2014.
Career highlights
Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com

Career

Early career

Hunt was drafted by Geelong with pick 44 in the 2000 AFL draft. He was recruited from the Bendigo Pioneers, a team in the TAC Cup, where he had played most of his football in the forward line. He won a long-kicking competition at age 15, with his powerful left footed kicks regularly travelling over 60 metres.[1]

He made his debut in round 8 of the 2001 season against Fremantle, but played only 15 games in his first three seasons. He missed most of 2003 because of severe fractures to his shins.

2004–2014
Hunt playing for Geelong

2004 was Hunt's breakthrough year. He played in 24 games, including finals, kicked 3 goals and had an average of 13 disposals.

He was also given the responsibility of kicking in after an opposition behind and has quickly become one of the best exponents of the art. His long, accurate, left foot kicks have often resulted in attacking opportunities for Geelong.

It was Hunt's outstanding performance in the backline that cemented him a weekly place in the playing team.

Hunt played 22 games in 2005, missing two games due to appendicitis. He was a late withdrawal from the Cats' round 21 one-point win against Richmond, and had surgery the next day. He missed round 22 and returned to play against Melbourne in the following weekend's elimination final.[2]

In 2006, he was criticised when he shirked taking a mark in a round 19 match against St Kilda. St Kilda capitalised on the incident to goal and steal the match. Hunt's bravery and attack on the ball, despite his bulk was brought under question.[3]

2007 was a reasonable season for Hunt, playing 16 games, with an average of 17 disposals. He ventured outside of his usual position in the backline to kick a total of three goals.

Hunt was hospitalised after Geelong's narrow 5-point preliminary final victory over Collingwood for dehydration. He was vomiting after the game after receiving a knock to the stomach, and was admitted to Geelong Hospital the following morning to be treated for dehydration.[4] He recovered in time to play a part in Geelong's premiership victory in the following weekend's grand final against Port Adelaide.

An ACL injury sustained in the preseason kept him sidelined for 2009, missing out on playing in Geelong's 2009 premiership team.[5]

He returned in 2010, playing 24 matches and followed on in 2011 with 22 matches, including his second premiership victory, in the 2011 AFL Grand Final.[6]

On 30 September 2013, Hunt was delisted by Geelong after 13 seasons. On 23 October 2013, he signed a one-year deal with Greater Western Sydney.[7]

On 26 August 2014, Hunt announced his retirement from the AFL.[8]

Statistics
[9]
Season Team No. Games Totals Averages (per game)
G B K H D M T G B K H D M T
2001 Geelong 41600161531780.00.02.72.55.21.21.3
2002 Geelong 4171123103313150.10.13.31.44.71.92.1
2003 Geelong 4120013821660.00.06.54.010.53.03.0
2004 Geelong 41243319111430568620.10.18.04.812.72.82.6
2005 Geelong 41222123811635498300.10.010.85.316.14.51.4
2006 Geelong 8224423915239196490.20.210.96.917.84.42.2
2007 Geelong 8163114313227572430.20.18.98.317.24.52.7
2008 Geelong 8233320018938989380.10.18.78.216.93.91.7
2009 Geelong 80——————————————
2010 Geelong 82413210181391117420.00.18.87.516.34.91.8
2011 Geelong 82241203141344103580.20.09.26.415.64.72.6
2012 Geelong 8185518597282106430.30.310.35.415.75.92.4
2013 Geelong 812311056717254180.30.18.85.614.34.51.5
2014 Greater Western Sydney 3214441356119667290.30.39.64.414.04.82.1
Career 212 33 27 1901 1283 3184 896 441 0.2 0.1 9.0 6.0 15.0 4.2 2.1

References
  1. Sheahan, Mike (2 August 2008). "Josh Hunt kicks on thanks to a helping hand". Herald Sun.
  2. Timms, Daryl (24 August 2007). "Illness flattens star Cat". Herald Sun. Australia: News Limited. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  3. Hinds, Richard; AAP (16 August 2006). "Swans won't go hunting maligned Cat defender". The Age.
  4. "Cameron Mooney treating this as his first Grand Final". Herald Sun. Australia: News Limited. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 25 September 2007.
  5. "Josh in the Hunt for a finals role". Herald Sun. Australian Associated Press. 6 August 2011.
  6. "Sweetest win for Scarlo". 2 October 2011.
  7. "GIANT Cat". GWSGIANTS.com.au. 23 October 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  8. "Premiership Duo Retire". Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  9. Josh Hunt's player profile at AFL Tables
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