Anytime Fitness Rocklea - 100 Senior Games for Chris Hunt
Andrew Thomson
Chris Hunt has had to wait a fair while to notch up his 100th Senior Game for the Western Magpies, stranded on 99 since 2017 when he was struck down by persistent injury.
Hunty was one of the first player selected from 2013-2017 and its a credit to him that he’s fought his way back . Last year he played Reserves for most of the year to be one of the leading players in the Pies rise to the semi-finals.
Chris started his football in Cairns before travelling to Brisbane to complete his secondary education at St Peters Lutheran College at Indooroopilly and he played in the QLD U15 side with fellow Magpie Gerard Moore
He joined the Magpies in 2009 and played under Des Lashman in the Colts heartbreaking 1 point loss to Morningside in the Grand Final at Coorparoo.—no-side had got near the Panthers that year and the Pies almost caused the upset of the season!! Chris played at CHB that day and was the Pies best player in the Grand Final. He also played 6 Senior games for the Magpies in 2009 when they played in the Velocity Sports Cup State League.
He was recruited by Morningside for one season in 2012 to try his luck at NEAFL level. This decision ultimately cost him a chance to play in the Magpies 2012 premiership victory over Palm Beach-Currumbin. He saw the light and returned to the Pies in 2013 and has been a fixture ever since. He has had his issues with injury over the journey so it has taken some time to reach his 100 game milestone.
He was runner up to Ben-Jaenke-Cain in the 2014 Bill Peirce Medal after a consistent season in defence.
Hunty is renowned for his clean ball handling skills and reading of the play. His decision making is also excellent, capped off by a very penetrating kick. He is equally good against tall or short---his closing speed is exceptional so he can close down smaller opponents or get to a marking contest. His judgement is also a highlight--he just makes the right decision on when to punch or mark. Across half back he can turn defence into attack and despite reaching veteran status, still has plenty of pace.
Hunty is also just a good bloke to have a round a footy club. He brings a sense of calm when needed and his presence at the Magpies has been the club’s gain. He never whinges and he happily played in Reserves for most of last year when he may have thought he was worth a Senior game--no complaints from Hunty!! All up he has played 153 matches for the Pies—99 Seniors, 38 Reserves and 16 Colts matches in his 10 years at the club, and also thrown in a few for the Woodies in the past 2 years due to work commitments not allowing him to play on a Saturday
So from all at the Magpies heartiest congratulations to Chris on a well deserved if albeit belated milestone of 100 Senior games for the Magpies!