Hunt may miss Crows clash
Gold Coast project defender Karmichael Hunt could be a victim of the Sun's rotation system and made to sit out Saturday's AFL clash with Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.
Hunt has played all six matches for the Suns but coach Guy McKenna said he was weighing up whether to play the back pocket for a seventh straight game.
If the 24-year-old is rested it will effectively be a two-week break as the Suns have a bye in round nine.
Adding to McKenna's selection dilemma is that he must find room in the side which beat Brisbane for the return of Campbell Brown from suspension.
Young defender Seb Tape is also in line for a recall.
McKenna said Hunt was progressing well and improving with each match but the time is nigh to rest the former rugby league international.
"The last two weeks he's actually got through without cramps which is a good sign, and he's getting a taste of playing on various opponents - talls and smalls," McKenna said.
"We haven't picked our side or our best side for Adelaide but at this stage he's in the mix.
"We like to rotate them when we can so we have a ready made replacement and with Browny coming off suspension and Tapey coming back, there's a good opportunity (to rotate Hunt)."
The code-hopping Hunt has been serviceable for the Suns this year although he failed to gain a kick against the Lions, accumulating just four handpasses.
McKenna said there was more to Hunt's worth on the field than statistics.
"Physically he's getting through, but he showed some signs on the weekend he's getting involved in the offensive side of things," McKenna said.
Brown's return from a four-match suspension will add some much needed grunt to defence against the Crows and he needs to perform well to regain favour with his teammates.
McKenna said his key defender had apologised to his teammates for the actions and would be seeking redemption for the rest of the season.
"He will now have this game and the rest of the season to earn back that trust," McKenna said.
"He apologised to the boys for letting himself down and the group down, so he's fairly remorseful.
"He's taken one step in that redemption and his second step will come this weekend."
Young forward Charlie Dixon is also a chance to return after missing one match with a calf injury.
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