TWO-time Warrnambool premiership player Tim Hunt will try his luck in Western Australia.
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Blues coach Scott Carter said Hunt had moved to Perth and hoped to train with a WAFL club.
Hunt, 23, spent the past two seasons at his Hampden league home club.
It followed stints at VFL club Collingwood and VAFA club University Blues.
The smooth-moving wingman enjoyed a dominant 2012 campaign, sharing the league’s highest honour — the Maskell Medal — with Cobden brothers Levi and Joe Dare and Camperdown’s Sam Chapman in a historic result.
Hunt was the Hampden league’s best player at interleague level, won the Blues’ best and fairest and collected a premiership medallion.
Injury marred Hunt’s 2013 season, with shoulder and groin complaints limiting him to eight games, including the Blues’ grand final win against Koroit.
Carter said Hunt was an invaluable contributor at Warrnambool.
“We wish Tim all the best and he’s welcome back at the footy club at any time,” Carter said.
“He’s a quality player and a quality person who we will miss.
“The last two years with us he’s won two premierships, a best and fairest and a Maskell Medal.”
Carter said he was unsure where Hunt would play in 2014 but backed his decision to move.
“I think a lot of it was to do with employment opportunities,” he said.
“He’s completed his sports management course.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for him to head over there and try his luck in a higher standard of footy.”
Carter said he was confident Warrnambool had the depth to cover Hunt.
“Tim’s departure opens up a wing position,” he said.
“The likes of Kurt Lenehan, we’ve recruited him, and he’s a proven Hampden league player and I think Jye Turland can push higher up the ground at stages and Tom Schnerring is developing too.
“We still have some under 18 kids who got a taste last year — Thomas Ludeman and Otto Opperman.”
Warrnambool, which returns to pre-season training next week, has kept the bulk of its premiership list intact.
“It’s not all doom and gloom for us,” Carter said.
“We might lose three or four players but I still think we’ve got a stable playing group.”
justine.mc@fairfaxmedia.com.au