Karmichael Hunt could decide NRL return within a month

Karmichael Hunt

Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans have each confirmed an interest in luring the 27-year-old back to the game where he made his name.

Hunt met with Gold Coast Suns coach Guy McKenna last week to discuss his future, and both parties agreed a shift back to rugby league was a real possibility.

McKenna said on Sunday that Gold Coast had not ­started contract extension talks with Hunt.

A decision on his future could hinge on whether he can cement his spot in the emerging Suns midfield before the AFL season is more than half over.

"When I spoke to him honestly over a coffee, he said 'all I want to do is get back to playing good football for (reserves coach) Josh Fraser and then you, and then I will make a decision'," McKenna told ABC Radio.

"I took him at his word, he doesn't mince his words, K, because he's a well-driven person.

"But let's be honest...he's going to have some cards at the end of the table to consider. We hope to put a Gold Coast Suns card there but he might have a rugby league card, a rugby union card.

"He'll get to that decision...and I said 'that's only fair K, because you have a decision as a father, a husband and an elite sportsman as to where you want to be'."


Hunt chats with Gold Coast Titans player Nate Myles during August last year. Photo: Getty

Hunt's stint in the AFL has been an undeniable success, especially during the 2012 season when the code hopper was a genuine leader of the Suns midfield.

However, with maturing Gold Coast on the verge of the AFL top four, the selection bar has been raised for Hunt this year, as his younger teammates develop into stars of the competition.

If he cannot regain the form and fitness required to be selected in the seniors he may decide to shift his training focus in preparation for a shift to rugby league in 2015.

"He is still four or five weeks away from getting back to better fitness and then he will be knocking on the door. But as he starts knocking on the door, the group's risen as well. So he understands the challenges," McKenna said.

"Most of the boys who run a 2km (time trial) are sub 6 min 30s - K' hasn't cracked seven.  Having a tank is not everything but it certainly is a pre-cursor to playing good midfield footy."

"That's where his head's at, at the moment."

Gold Coast needs to reduce its list by two players to 38 next year in line with other clubs, except GWS, as the final part of its entry into the competition.

McKenna said Hunt – a former Australia and Queensland representative in rugby league - would always be regarded as a crucial part of Gold Coast's development during its foundation years in the AFL.

"He's achieved an enormous amount for us. To play 44 games...and to kick a goal after the siren to win a game (against Richmond in 2012)...that's a footballer's dream.

"He shouldered a lot of that media speculation along with Gary (Ablett) during the first couple of years and bore the brunt of that."

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