KARMICHAEL Hunt is fit and ready to make a return to football, according to Assistant Coach Dean Solomon. 

“He trained well and will be fit to make a return through the NEAFL,” Solomon said.

“No doubt his calf injury has restrained him a bit but he’s done a lot of recovery and rehab and is now in a good spot where he can play football.”

The injury-interrupted Hunt had a breakout season in 2012, establishing himself as a bona-fide AFL player – appearing in 18 of the possible 22 AFL matches.

Unfortunately for Hunt, hamstring tendonitis and a recent calf injury have largely plagued his 2013 campaign, limiting him to just seven AFL matches and three NEAFL appearances.

But after completing today’s main training session, a possible return to senior football no longer seems too distant for Hunt. 

“He’s going to do everything he can to push back for a spot in the senior selection, and he knows to do that he has to perform well in the NEAFL,” Solomon said.

“If his performances warrant selection, and he continually puts his hand up, he’ll eventually give us no choice.” 

Solomon says Melbourne’s disastrous 37-point defeat to Greater Western Sydney could spell trouble for the improved Gold Coasters – with Neil Craig’s Dee’s likely to come out hungry to make amends for their disappointing performance against the Giants.

“No doubt Melbourne will be quite disappointed with their effort last week and that spells a lot of danger for us,” he said.

“They’re going to be coming up ready to compete so we need to be on our game and leave no stone unturned.”

While the team will be hungry to taste victory after coming narrowly close to securing the points against West Coast last week, Solomon said the boys couldn’t afford to take their opponent for granted.

“We’re treating this contest no different to any other,” he said.

“We can’t underestimate the Melbourne Football Club – we respect those guys a lot, it’s going to be a very tough game and if we’ll have to earn it if we want to come away with the win.”