1. Karmichael Hunt (Brisbane Broncos)<da king>
2. Matt King (Melbourne Storm)
3. Mark Gasnier (St George Illawarra Dragons)
4. Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos)
5. Greg Inglis (Melbourne Storm)
6. Darren Lockyer (c) (Brisbane Broncos)
7. Johnathan Thurston (Nth QLD Cowboys)
8. Willie Mason (Bulldogs)
9. Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
10. Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane Broncos)
11. Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs)
12. Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels)
13. Luke O'Donnell (Nth QLD Cowboys)

14. Mark O'Meley (Bulldogs)
15. Shaun Berrigan (Brisbane Broncos)
16. Anthony Tupou (Sydney Roosters)
17. Brent Kite (Manly Sea Eagles)

Karmichael Hunt was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He moved to Brisbane, Queensland when he was 11 years of age. Upon moving to Brisbane, Karmichael played his junior football for Souths Acacia Ridge. At 13, Karmichael made his rep debut for the South-East Queensland team, where he played fullback.


[edit] Brisbane Broncos

[edit] 2004 Debut Season
Karmichael made his first grade debut at the age of 17 in Round 1 of the Brisbane Broncos season. Originally picked on the bench for this game, coach Wayne Bennett moved him to fullback. Karmichael played every game in 2004 for the Broncos. Critics were calling him the next super-star of the game and won the 2004 Rookie of the Year. He was set to make a shock selection for the Australia at the end of 2004.


[edit] 2005 & Premier Season 2006
Karmichael saw a loss of form in his second season, some labelling it Karmichael's second-year syndrome, although Karmichael still played at his favourite position of fullback for the enitre year. Karmichael showed some form and lacks of form, but remained injury free.

Karmichael started the 2006 season well, making a deadly combination with Darren Lockyer and in reward won the Australian and Queensland 3 days after making an impressive debut for Queensland in State of Origin II, Karmichael took to the field for the Brisbane Broncos when they played the Dragons. Unfortunately, Karmichael sustained an injury and x-rays later confirmed a broken bone in his foot. The injury sidelined him for 8 weeks. Karmichael returned to the Broncos side in round 25 against the Parramatta Eels playing on the Wing, after Justin Hodges was selected at Fullback after impressive form during Karmichael's absence. Karmichael missed the Broncos home semi-final on September 9th 2006 against St George after slightly straining his hamstring during Broncos training in the days leading up to the match. Karmichael returned for the match against Newcastle and won 50-6. In the Grand Final Play-offs against the Canterbury Bulldogs, Karmichael was selected at fullback for the Broncos, but after a less than great performance, coach Wayne Bennett moved Justin Hodges to fullback and Karmichael to the wing, a move which helped the Broncos come from 14 down at half time to win 37-20. Karmichael was a member of the Broncos team who played the 2006 Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm. The Broncos won 15-8, with Brent Tate and Justin Hodges scoring a try each and Darren Lockyer and Corey Parker converting the tries, with Lockyer kicking a penalty goal and a field goal too.


[edit] Beyond
In June 2006, Bruno Cullen, Managing Director of the Broncos announced Karmichael would be with the club for a further 3-years until the end of 2009 at least.


[edit] International for the Kangaroos

[edit] Before his debut
Karmichael Hunt was approached in his debut season (2004) to play in the ANZAC test for the New Zealand national rugby league team, but Karmichael pledged his allegiance to Queensland and Australia stating “I owe everything to the Queensland Rugby League because that’s where I’ve played all my football, all my rep football. There was no way I could abandon that…” (The Sunday Mail 2004) Karmichael and his parents, Hans and Tera moved to the Brisbane suburb of Algester when Karmichael was 11. Karmichael was approched by New Zealand at every oppotunnity since.


[edit] Debut and ANZAC Test 2006
Karmichael's loyalty to Queensland and Australia paid off in May 2006 when he was selected to replace the injured Anthony Minichello in the Kangaroo’s team to play New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium on May 5th. His selection in the team was considered controversial by most, who favoured the North Queensland Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen. Karmichael played well in his debut, making some good tackles and being heavily involved in attack. But in the 50th minute he was knocked unconscious by the shoulder of Kiwi Frank Pritchard whilst making a kick-return. He wa

The Ergon Energy Broncos today announced that 19-year-old fullback, Karmichael Hunt, had agreed to a new three-year deal with the club.

In making the announcement today at a Press Conference at the Broncos headquarters at Red Hill in Brisbane, Broncos managing director Bruno Cullen said he had no doubt the signing would send a huge buzz through the club and its supporters.

“I don’t think I am exaggerating when I say that Karmichael was one of the hottest properties coming off contract, and certainly he would have been much sought after by other clubs had he gone on the open market,” Mr Cullen said.

“No club likes to lose its good young players, and at the Broncos we are no different. But it is particularly satisfying to be able to retain a player of Karmichael’s standing, who – before being injured two weeks ago – was the current Queensland and Australian fullback.

“He came to us straight from school and immediately made an impact at the top level, and at just 17 became our youngest NRL debutant. The Broncos have nurtured him through the first three years of his career and we are understandably elated that he will be with us for three more years.”

Mr Cullen revealed that contract negotiations with the young fullback had been ‘relatively straight forward’.

“I don’t think there was ever any doubt that Karmichael wanted to stay in Brisbane, and play with the Broncos,” he said.

“Clearly there were issues that needed to be worked though, such as Karmichael’s future role at the club and where both parties see his career heading. However, I can say categorically that very little of our dealings concerned money, even though K has obviously received a pay rise commensurate with his standing in the game.

"I have no doubt that Karmichael views the Broncos as the place he wants to be for the remainder of his career, and the feeling is mutual. It is no secret that both Wayne (coach Bennett) and I see him as a future candidate for the Broncos captaincy.”

Karmichael said he was happy, and relieved, to have settled on his playing future for the next three years at least.

"When I first joined the Broncos from school at the end of 2003, I remember being so excited with just being at the club, and being part of what I always thought was the most professional and successful footy club around," he said.

"In the 2 1/2 seasons I have been here, nothing about that has changed. The other guys in the squad, the coaching staff and everyone at the Broncos makes you feel so much at home and comfortable about being here. Every day I look forward to going to training, and being part of the Broncos. It's just fun."
While this new contract will finish at the end of Season 2009, 19-year-old Hunt hopes to play his entire career with the Broncos.

"I look around and see guys like Webbie (Shane Webcke) and Locky (Darren Lockyer) who have been here for their entire careers, and it's something I would like to do. If I can, I want to be a one-club player too," he said.

"Playing footy is not just about 80 minutes out on the field every week. For me it is a career and I want to be happy where I am, satisfied that my game is progressing and that I am learning all the time to be a better player.

"As well, I need to be content with my life away from the club. At the Broncos, I have all of that."

Bruno Cullen also announced today that hooker Ian Lacey had re-signed with the Broncos for the next two seasons.

Lacey, who made his NRL debut in round seven against the Roosters, has been with the club for four years, and played in the Colts premiership team of 2004.

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