AFL Chief Executive Officer Gillon McLachlan today praised the significant contribution of Karmichael Hunt to the establishment of the Gold Coast SUNS Football Club and the continuing growth of Australian football in Queensland.

“Karmichael Hunt has been an inspirational ambassador for Australian Football over the past four years and his progress in playing our game has helped inspire many children, particularly in Queensland and NSW, to play and watch Australian football,” Mr McLachlan said.

“Karmichael has fulfilled an important role for the SUNS both on and off the field, and from an AFL perspective he has delivered above and beyond our expectations for the promotional impact he has had in the northern states. Participation in Australian Football in Queensland has jumped from around 18,000 when Karmichael signed up to play in 2009 to nearly 30,000 in 2014.

“He has also made a valuable contribution to the AFL community as an Australia Post Multicultural Ambassador, promoting inclusion and diversity within our game and more broadly.”

Mr McLachlan said the AFL understood and respected today’s announcement that Karmichael will move on from the AFL community, and wished him well for his future sporting career.

“This has been a tough call for Karmichael. He is an impressive person and an extraordinary athlete who adapted well to the demands of Australian Football and the different requirements of our game during his four-season AFL career,” Mr McLachlan said.

“Significantly, Karmichael is the first sportsperson in Australia to have reached the elite professional level in three football codes, which is a remarkable achievement that is testament to his natural sporting ability and commitment.

“A highlight of his 44 senior AFL games must be the winning goal he kicked after the siren against Richmond in Cairns in the 2012 season and the ecstatic reaction of his teammates and the club’s supporters.

“Karmichael has had an unlucky run with injury in recent times and this has prevented him cementing a regular spot in the SUNS’ line-up, but he has a remained a very positive influence at the club, particularly as a mentor for several young players, and has continued to enthusiastically help our efforts to grow the game in Queensland and New South Wales.

“The entire AFL community joins me in thanking Karmichael for his contribution to Australia’s Game and in wishing he and his family all the best for the future.”