We are coming for you: Harvey warns NRL
* Tim Clarke
* July 29, 2009 - 12:23PM
Dockers coach Mark Harvey has warned the NRL the amazing coup by the new Gold Coast club to tempt Karmichael Hunt to switch codes is the next step in the continuing battle for supremacy among Australia's footballing codes.
Both Rugby League and AFL were stunned today when the Gold Coast announced they had tempted the Brisbane Broncos fullback ahead of their introduction into the national competition in 2011.
Harvey agreed with AFL boss Andrew Demetriou that the move was a "fantastic coup" for his sport, and predicted other clubs - including his own - may now start to look to the league and union competitions for potential recruits.
"I think it is fantastic coup for the game, and the promotion of the game in that state," Harvey said
"Whether he can play or not I have no idea ... but provided he can play I think it is great testament to be able to attract those players from other sports to our game, a real compliment to our game
"I think (he could succeed) - he could be in the forward line pressuring the opposition. But it has got to go beyond that to his skill level.
"I guess he has been through a lot of tactics in rugby league, so I don’t think tactics will be a problem - it is juts how he reads the game.
"I think we have tended to look at younger guys who have played those sports and concentrated on them, rather than the guys who have established themselves.
"It will be an interesting process, and there might be more to come."
Harvey said his club would consider a similar move, and pointed out that some great players of the past and present had backgrounds in both codes.
"If you have a look at a guy like (Dean) Solomon, he grew up in Broken Hill and he grew up playing both. When I was at Essendon, Dean Rioli, he played both rugby and football," Harvey said.
"They are built for it - but I think our game is a lot more difficult to understand than their game.
"All codes are taking each other on, you only need to look where we are establishing our new clubs - we need to do that if we want to maintain our spot as the number one sport in the nation.
"And it shows we are attracting people from far and wide."
Hunt was welcomed into the AFL fold by Demetriou today, with the AFL boss saying there had been extensive consultation with the game's powerbrokers - including Nathan Buckley - as to whether Hunt could make the switch
"I think this is an exciting day for the Gold Coast Football Club and also for the AFL to have such a talented sportsman who has achieved so much in his own sport wanting to take up the challenge to play for a new club in the AFL,” Mr Demetriou said.
"We think he can make an impact as a player and also in developing the game in Queensland at community level."
Mr Demetriou said he had met Hunt and his girlfriend Emma and had been impressed by his enthusiasm for playing AFL
"He is a proud Queenslander and the unique opportunity to stay in Queensland and play sport at the elite level, while also being a part of building a new national club on the Gold Coast was a big part of his decision,” he said.
As part of the arrangement, Hunt will work for the AFL and AFL Queensland in development and promotional roles for three years. He will join the club mid-way through next year after playing a season of rugby.
Meanwhile, Harvey ruled out Bryon Schammer and cast serious doubt on Brett Peake during a training session at East Fremantle Oval today, which included a shortened ground to replicate the dimensions of Etihad Stadium.
But he confirmed Des Headland and forgotten young gun Chris Mayne were fit to play.
Mayne, who played a big role in his first year but none in his second after a serious problem with shin splints, is in line for his first game against 2009.
"I think everyone has forgotten about Mayne, and I thought he had as much impact, or certainly not far behind, Rhys (Palmer) last year," Harvey said.
"We think he is going to be a really good player long term for us."
