If AFL-bound Karmichael Hunt wanted a rugby league finale to remember he got his wish.

Unfortunately it will be remembered for all the wrong reasons as his side Brisbane were booted out of the NRL finals race by Melbourne with a 40-10 thrashing at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Hunt will play with the new Gold Coast franchise in the AFL from 2011, however the NRL preliminary final marked his last match as a rugby league player.

"I feel deflated, to know I won't be a Bronco anymore is a bit sad," the fullback said after the game.

"I had a few tears in my eyes coming off the field.

"I can't believe it's over but that's footy."

Skipper Darren Lockyer said the 22-year-old Queensland State of Origin representative would be hugely missed by the Broncos, where he has played since a junior.

"It hasn't sunk in yet," Lockyer said of his good friend's departure.

"He's a massive part of our game.

"I guess when we go back to training in next pre-season when K's not around, it will sink in then.

"He's given everything when he's been on the field for us so we'll definitely miss him."

While he bade farewell to the Broncos, it's likely to be the first of many trips to Etihad Stadium, with a number of AFL teams using the Melbourne venue.

But Hunt wasn't too excited about his future.

When asked what he thought about the AFL grand final between Geelong and St Kilda, he said: "I watched a bit but then I fell asleep."

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