JOHN Hunt has thought about retirement for the past five years but can’t bring himself to do it just yet.
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And who could blame him?
The evergreen 35-year-old is still a consistent player in a team capable of winning the premiership, which is testament to his ability, determination and durability.
Milestones have been as regular as hot dinners for Hunt over the past few years and he’ll chalk up another on Saturday against Wodonga Raiders at Birallee Park.
He’ll play his 350th game, 18 years after making his debut as a 17-year-old under Bruce Stewart in 1997.
The fire still burns for a third premiership – Hunt won the ultimate prize in 2005 and 2001 when he claimed the Did Simpson Medal – but admits his playing days are numbered.
Hunt’s main priority these days is his four children – Amelia (7), Eve (5), Mia (2) and Reuben (six months).
“I nearly didn’t play this year,” Hunt admitted.
“I’m older, the kids are getting older.
“The kids’ priorities are taking over my priorities.”
Hunt is fourth on the list of most games played in the O and M, behind only Matt Allen (416), Kerry Bahr (356) and Matt Fowler (354).
Rutherglen’s Jack King played around 350, but records are unclear.
Hunt holds the Lavington club record for most games – Bahr played 319 for Lavington and 37 for Raiders – and he played almost 200 straight.
So what’s the secret to his longevity, especially considering Hunt is only 175cm tall and weights just over 70kg?
“The secret is don’t train, (but) don’t tell the young guys that,” Hunt laughed.
“I’ve never been a superstar, it’s just a matter of doing what you have to, doing what you can.”
Hunt’s been part of the furniture at Lavington for two decades, playing juniors there because his family lived near-by.
He ran water for the Lavington senior team in the 1996 grand final against Albury - a year later Hunt was their teammate.
“He was a machine,” former coach Tim Sanson said.
“He used to run them into submission.
“Him and Todd Brown would play on the wings and back in those days you didn’t rotate, they’d blow blokes up.
“He’s pretty meticulous and he’s a strong little bugger – he’s all muscle.”
A game against the Rovers in 2001 clearly sticks out.
“We had to win to finish on top I think and I reckon it was even at three quarter-time,” said Sanson, one of only three to coach Hunt.
“He kicked two goals where he ran from the centre and kicked goals into the wind, it was just gut running.”
Hunt shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
