CRACKING THE CODE with Karmichael Hunt, courtesy of the Gold Coast Bulletin

AS I write this I am currently up in beautiful Townsville and by the time you read this I will be in Cairns.

It is a busy trip with lots of media and promotions, but it has now got even busier with the news that I will be playing tomorrow.

For awhile it didn't look that way.

At first I thought I was going to have to be a spectator when the boys take on the Bendigo Bombers at Cazaly Stadium in Cairns.

It all happened early this week when I was at the club.

I went up to my coach Bluey McKenna and asked him if I was in this week.

He told him that he was going to give me another week's rest and then throw me in the following week.

So I obviously thought that was that.

But then he rang me that afternoon and asked me I was still keen to play and I definitely was.

I told him I felt pretty fresh and wouldn't mind a run while I am up there, so I was thrilled with the outcome.

In the end my reason was simple - I just want to play the game.

I am just really enjoying the game as well and wanting to continually improve.

And the fact is I can't do that by sitting at home.

The best way for me to learn is by playing and there is no substitute for it.

It wouldn't have been a let down had I not been able to play because it still Bluey's call and I respect that.

But I thought I was up here anyway, so it has worked out well.

I know I am still earmarked for a run in the middle, but I will be playing down back in defence again tomorrow.

They are still keen for me to have a run there in the coming weeks, but Bluey thought it would be best for another week in defence.

It is because I have now played there a few times and have developed a little bit of understanding in terms of what's going on.

I have a lot of promotional and media work to do up north before the match so Bluey didn't want to overburden me with a new position and all the new structures that come with that.

My day in Townsville yesterday was jam-packed with lots of activities and promotional work.

It is a city I have had a lot to do with there as I played with the Broncos up there quite a bit.

It is a great chance for us to let people know there is an opportunity for them to experience AFL football.

In the end we were lucky to get there as we stuck in terrible traffic on the way to Brisbane Airport yesterday morning.

Club community programs officer Corey Bell, who I am travelling with, was definitely stressing out.

We will be doing a lot of work in Cairns as well and it will also be good to meet Paul Brackin, who won the Gold Coast Bulletin and Hot Tomato competition to have breakfast with me while I am there.

I like that the club is constantly trying to look after our fans and this is another example of that.
Bring on the game and the warm weather.