World Footy News

When Karmichael Hunt kicked the much talked about goal after the siren on Saturday night to end the Gold Coasts 21 game losing streak, many of the modern themes of the AFL were in play.  Hunt most famously a code crosser, former NRL star - lured to the game by cash, but also by his childhood memories of playing the game.  Hunt was born in New Zealand and is an immigration success story (his parents were from Samoa and the Cook Islands) and an AFL multicultural ambassador .

The location of the match, Cazaly's Stadium in Cairns was also significant in the constant efforts to expand the game in non traditional locations and Hunt playing for the expansion Gold Coast club.  Playing in Cairns, the third AFL venue in Qld, also brings the game to within a two hour flight of the PNG footy fronteir.

Standing the mark for the Richmond Footy club was another multicultural ambassador in Bachar Houli, a devout Muslim whose parents emigrated from Lebanon.

Of course Hunt went back and kicked the goal, the Gold Coast broke their losing streak and the story made national headlines.  And in case you missed the video, here it is.

An aside to this is that Hunt was first identified as an AFL prospect by Mark Browning in 2003.  In the hours previous to Hunt kicking the winning goal, at the National Under 16 Championships it was announced that the best player in the third division (that was contested by the South Pacific and World XVIII teams) would be awarded the Mark Browning medal.