Bob Murphy believes 2021 could be Jayden Hunt’s year.
The 25-year-old played six games in 2020, kicking 10 goals, those seven came across two games.
A move back into defence, coupled with the AFL’s new ‘stand’ rule and a settled Demons backline may all align to the benefit Hunt.
“Sometimes the football universe just tilts in your favour and after talking to Christian Salem the other day, he mentioned a bloke and I went hmm, time to re-evaluate where Jayden Hunt is at with his footy,” Murphy told SEN’s Bob and Andy.
“He started as a tearaway half back flanker. High risk, high reward, lots of mistakes.
“Then moved forward, kicked a few goals, but it’s been a bit patchy and he’s had some injuries.
“It’s his sixth season, so the maturity should be coming into his game, he’s never played in a Melbourne backline with Jake Lever and Steven May.
“This is a really settled Melbourne defence that he goes into. The new man-on-the-mark rule I think will suit the running, dashing half-back flankers and I am always big on if you’ve got two running half-back flankers, it’s almost impossible to stop.
“I think the football universe has just tilted in his favour and it’s all chips on the table time. If he can’t make it work this year, there’d be some concerns as to whether he’s got long in the game, but I think it’ll be boom, not bust.”
Hunt has played 74 career games since being drafted with pick 57 in the 2013 National Draft.