Australian rules footballer
| Ken Hunter | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Kenneth Ronald Hunter | ||
| Date of birth | (1957-04-28) 28 April 1957 (age 67) | ||
| Place of birth | Derby, Western Australia | ||
| Original team(s) | Dalkeith Juniors | ||
| Debut | Round 1, 1981, Carlton vs. Richmond, at Waverley Park | ||
| Height | 183 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Weight | 76 kg (168 lb) | ||
| Playing career | |||
| Years | Club | Games (Goals) | |
| 1975–1980 | Claremont | 91 (23) | |
| 1981–1989 | Carlton | 147 (160) | |
| Total | 238 (183) | ||
| Representative team honours | |||
| Years | Team | Games (Goals) | |
| 1977–1985 | Western Australia | 10 (?) | |
| Playing statistics correct to the end of 1989. | |||
| Career highlights | |||
| |||
| Sources: AFL Tables, AustralianFootball.com | |||
Kenneth Ronald Hunter (born 28 April 1957) is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Carlton Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and for the Claremont Football Club in the Western Australian Football League (WAFL).
A member of the Australian Football Hall of Fame, Western Australian Football Hall of Fame and Carlton Hall of Fame, Hunter was a versatile and superbly skilled footballer who is best remembered for his courageous, if not reckless, aerial ability, frequently launching himself at various angles, often against bigger oncoming players, to mark the ball. When Hunter first arrived to play in the VFL, many questioned whether his style of play would stand up to the physical pressure, given his scrawny build (weighing in at only 76 kilograms). Hunter soon silenced the doubters and went on to play in three VFL premierships for the Blues.
Early career
Raised in Carlisle, he originally played at Claremont. He played 91 games for the club between 1975 and 1980, where he was known for his courage, sustaining three broken jaws within two years.
Coming to Carlton in 1981, he had a near perfect induction into the VFL, with the Blues winning the premiership, and also being voted club best and fairest, playing mainly as a half back flanker.
Quickly becoming a fan favourite with his high leaping ability and determination, he had another stellar season in 1982, with the Blues winning back-to-back flags.
1983 saw Hunter showing his versatility, playing more on-ball and in the forward line and ended up leading the Carlton goalkicking for the season. He also won the Mark of the Year that season, with a mark taken running into a pack with the flight of the ball, further reflective Hunter's reputation for courageous play. In Round 11 of 1984, he kicked eight goals against Footscray, and in 1988, kicked six goals from just eight kicks against the Brisbane Bears.
In 1987, Hunter won a third premiership as a club veteran and vice-captain, playing under captain Stephen Kernahan.
Post-football, he was a board member for the Carlton Football Club, serving under presidents John Elliott (1993–2002) and Ian Collins (2002–2006).
He is the father of former Melbourne Football Club player Cameron Hunter.
References
- These tallies refer to premiership matches (home-and-away and finals matches) only.
External links
- Ken Hunter's playing statistics from AFL Tables
- Ken Hunter at AustralianFootball.com
- "Kenneth Ronald HUNTER". WA Football Hall of Fame. West Australian Football Commission.
- "Ken Hunter". Blueseum - History of the Carlton Football Club.
| Carlton Football Club 1981/82 VFL premiers | |
|---|---|
| 1981: Carlton 12.20 (92) defeated Collingwood 10.12 (72), at the Melbourne Cricket Ground 1982: Carlton 14.19 (103) defeated Richmond 12.13 (85), at the Melbourne Cricket Ground | |
| Coach: Parkin |
| Carlton Football Club 1987 VFL premiers | |
|---|---|
| Carlton 15.14 (104) defeated Hawthorn 9.17 (71), at the Melbourne Cricket Ground | |
| Coach: Walls |
| Carlton Football Club: Team of the Century | |
|---|---|
| Full-back | |
| Half-back | |
| Centre | |
| Half-forward | |
| Full-forward | |
| Ruck | |
| Interchange | |
| Coach | |
| 1982 VFL Team of the Year | |
|---|---|
| Full-back line | |
| Half-back line | |
| Centre line | |
| Half-forward line | |
| Full-forward line | |
| Ruck | |
| Interchange | |
| Coach | |
| 1983 → | |
| 1983 VFL Team of the Year | |
|---|---|
| Full-back line | |
| Half-back line | |
| Centre line | |
| Half-forward line | |
| Full-forward line | |
| Ruck | |
| Interchange | |
| Coach | |
| ← 1982 1984 → | |
| Western Australian team – 1985 Interstate Championships | |
|---|---|
| South Australia 30.18 (198) defeated Western Australia 16.15 (111), at Subiaco Oval, 15 June 1985 Victoria 19.16 (130) defeated Western Australia 9.11 (65), at Subiaco Oval, 16 July 1985 | |
| Both games | |
| State Game vs. South Australia | |
| State of Origin vs. Victoria | |
| Coach: Todd | |
| Alex Jesaulenko Medal · Mark of the Year | |
|---|---|
|
- 1957 births
- Living people
- Australian rules footballers from Western Australia
- Carlton Football Club players
- Carlton Football Club premiership players
- Claremont Football Club players
- Western Australian State of Origin players
- John Nicholls Medal winners
- All-Australians (1953–1988)
- West Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees
- Australian Football Hall of Fame inductees
- VFL/AFL premiership players