Former AFL player Jayden Hunt will play for Drysdale this season after retiring from the top league at the end of 2025.
Hunt played 172 AFL games for Melbourne and West Coast before announcing his retirement at the end of the AFL season.
The tone of the club’s announcement last week on social media that 30-year-old Hunt was joining the Hawks was, to put it mildly, enthusiastic.
“The Drysdale Football and Netball Club is pumped to announce the signing of former West Coast Eagles & Melbourne Demons player Jayden Hunt!” the club said on social media.
Senior coach Ben Carmichael confirmed the mood around the club had been buoyant since the announcement.
“There’s generally always some excitement when you get a guy that’s come straight out of league footy,” he said.
“The guys are really excited and we’re looking forward to seeing what Jayden can do for us.
“We’re excited to see what he can teach our young kids, even the coaches…he’s going to bring a lot to the group.”
Hunt, known for both his utility and his elite pace, will link up with brother-in-law Tarv Latimer, who joined the Hawks from Ocean Grove in December.
Carmichael said Hunt was “fully invested” in his new club.
“We’re not putting a ceiling on how many games he plays…we certainly understand that he’s got business and goals commitments,” he said.
“At this stage we’re probably looking at (Hunt playing) maybe six to ten games, and he’s certainly voiced that he’s keen to do as much training as he can.”
Matt Hewson
