If ever Karmichael Hunt was going to feel a twinge of regret over his bold AFL move, it would be this weekend.

But Hunt reckons he has not had any second thoughts despite missing the chance to feature in Darren Lockyer's NRL regular-season farewell on Sunday.

The Gold Coast recruit said his former Brisbane captain's Suncorp Stadium send-off promised to be "very, very special".

However, watching Lockyer's last hurrah with a finals-bound Broncos from afar has not led to a change of heart from Hunt.

Not yet, anyway.

Off-contract at the end of next season, the code hopper's post-2012 plans remain up in the air.

"I have no regrets whatsoever," said Hunt who will complete his first year in AFL against Hawthorn at Carrara on Saturday.

"It will be a very, very special game on Sunday but I am enjoying AFL.

"I will enjoy the game (on Sunday) enjoying an ale with the rest of the (Suns) boys.

"Webby (former Brisbane prop Shane Webcke) in '06 got a wonderful send-off with a (premiership) ring - hopefully, it is the same for Locky."

Asked if he had thought about his future, Hunt said: "Twelve months is a long time and all I am focusing on is getting better as a player.

"All I can say on that is that I am really enjoying my time in AFL.

"I feel like I have a lot of improvement to do - and I want to do that.

"Whether that is in the next 12 months or a couple of years beyond my next contract, we will have to wait and see."

Panned by the likes of North Melbourne great Wayne Carey before even kicking a ball in the AFL, Hunt hoped he had proven his critics wrong in 2011.

While not keen to rate his AFL debut year, Hunt admitted he had surprised himself sometimes with his development.

"I think a lot of people expected me to fail, but they didn't know me," he said.

"I was never going to do something that was going to embarrass myself.

"I was always confident in my ability to cross over and adapt.

"I maybe surprised myself in a few areas.

"Being such a huge unknown coming into this year, I just wanted to have a crack, improve each week and to help the team out - and I felt I have.

"Whether it's a pass mark or not, you would have to ask Bluey (coach Guy McKenna)."

Hunt's biggest highlight of the year occurred off the field.

No.2 Draft pick Harley Bennell's future looked grim just months ago after a second club-imposed suspension.

But Hunt, 24, and his partner Emma took the homesick 18-year-old Suns' recruit in and helped turn his career around.

"We provided him a home but he has done all the hard work, to be honest," Hunt said.

"I have seen Harley turn his attitude around and then pick up where he left off on the field for the Suns.

"He had to learn the hard way but he showed great character."

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