NRL: Hunt move stuns Broncos

BRISBANE - Brisbane Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen says he's shocked to hear of star player Karmichael Hunt's switch to Australia Rules with new AFL franchise Gold Coast.

In an unprecedented cross-code switch, international fullback Hunt is set to announce today that he is leaving the National Rugby League (NRL) club after this season to sign with the Gold Coast franchise which joins the AFL competition in 2011.

Cullen told ABC radio he had only heard media reports of the switch and Hunt's management had not been on touch with him.

"I was quite shocked," he said.

"We've had him since he was 15 and he's been playing with the club for the last five seasons.

"He's a 100-game player now. He's played Origin, he played for Australia, so he's been a success story in a very short period of time."

Cullen said it was a "coup" for the AFL.

"Good luck to them - they've snared a fine athlete," he said.

Cullen said he did not believe it would take fans away from league in Brisbane.

"With all due respect, someone will come along and take his place - they may not be immediately as good, but it's two different codes and I think (the fans) will stick with the codes," he said.

"He's someone who will be very attractive."

Cullen said there would be a Broncos position available for Hunt if the AFL did not work out.

- AAP