Jack Kovacic
Midfielder Liam Hunt will this week play his 50th VFL game when Coburg take on Frankston this Sunday at SkyBus Stadium.
Hunt is now in his third season at Piranha Park following a career best year last year.
He took out the Jim Sullivan Medal (Club Best and Fairest) in 2017 and was also named on the bench in the VFL Team of the Year.
He averaged almost 30 possessions a game and kicked 13 goals over the season.
Hunt has continued to build on that form so far in 2018, having already been named Lion of the Round in Round 4 after picking up 37 disposals and kicking a goal. Hunt also currently has had the second most disposals of any player in the VFL this season.
Hunt arrived at Coburg as a 19 year old. He played his junior footy at the Eltham Football Club where he won five Junior Premierships before playing three seasons for the Northern Knights in the TAC Cup, where he also managed three appearances for the Northern Blues as a 23rd man.
With game 50 on the horizon this weekend, Hunt in looking forward to taking on Frankston.
“It’s come round pretty slow, it feels like a long time ago I played my first game,” he said “It’s a great feeling to notch 50 games at such a proud and long standing club.
That first game is still one of Hunt’s favourite Coburg memories.
“Getting a win in my first game against Richmond in round 1 a few years back was one to remember.”
“Having more than half the team in the circle singing the song was a bit strange, but it was an unreal moment.”
In his third season at the club, Hunt continues to work on his game and trying to add more strings to his bow.
“Going into pre-season I wanted to focus on my uncontested marks and easier possessions in a way to really compliment my stoppage work, also kicking a goal or two a game would be nice.”
The Lions are currently winless but the signs have been there and there is lots of improvement happening every week.
“Early on this year it was always going to be tough for us considering we lost a few key players such as Pete McEvoy, Luke Bunker and Mark Kovacevic to injuries,” said Hunt, “With such an inexperienced group, we definitely rely on those guys to be out there.”
“There are plenty of young guys in their first season stepping up which is exciting for the club.”
“Each week we are improving and we just need to trust the game plan we have in place, then a win won’t be too far away.”
Head down to Frankston on Sunday afternoon to watch Hunt and the rest of the Lions in action in the Beyond Blue round of the VFL.
