Humble Hunter influential in netting third banner

One is a treat.

Two is a bonus.

And three is due reward for a true club champion.

Andrew Hunter claimed the triple at the weekend.

The Kaikorai coach led his side to a 46-41 win over Harbour in an exciting Dunedin division 1 club final at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.

He was at the reins in 2016 when Kaikorai beat Dunedin 29-22.

And he captained the team in 1997 when they edged Southern 12-7.

Kaikorai players are overjoyed after their victory over Harbour in the Dunedin division 1 final...
Kaikorai players are overjoyed after their victory over Harbour in the Dunedin division 1 final at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday. PHOTO: GERARD O’BRIEN

It is not something he would mention. The long-serving Balmacewen Intermediate principal is a humble character.

"Oh, it’s a bit of a relief, really," he said when asked about the feat.

"It is hard to relax when it is a tight game.

"And Harbour, in that last five minutes, were a handful. I kind of thought we might have, you know, put them to sleep with 10 minutes to go."

Andrew Hunter. PHOTO: ODT FILES
Andrew Hunter. PHOTO: ODT FILES

Kaikorai were up by 46-29, but Harbour scored two late tries to give themselves a chance.

Kaikorai have won 15 banners in total. But it was only the club's third since the finals format was introduced in 1986, and Hunter has had a hand in all of them.

He captained the team in 1997 when future All Black coach Tony Gilbert was at the helm. Brendan Laney banged over four penalties that day.

Classy midfielder Jayden Spence helped set up the win in 2016. He palmed off countless defenders in a powerhouse performance.

But if you are looking for a man-of-the-match effort from Saturday’s victory, look no further than the coaching staff.

They hatched a plan to target Harbour’s lineout and cut off their supply of ball.

Demons captain Lucas Casey and the locking duo of Sidney Fidow and Lachie Stevens executed that plan perfectly.

First five Ben Miller was influential and experienced loose forward Slade McDowall, who played in the 2016 final, was tireless and bagged two tries.

"Oh, it’s hard to single anyone out. Our leaders definitely stood up.

"But I think when you've got a clear vision of how you want to play then everyone buys into it.

"It's really great for the club. Like every club, so many people put work in, and it's just one of those rare rewards that you get sometimes.

"If we hadn't won today, it wouldn't actually diminish the season that we’ve had because it's been so enjoyable."

And that is what keeps Hunter coming back and chipping in when he can.

"It's a community club, and it's my community.

"So, it doesn't feel like work when you enjoy it, mate."

adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz

 

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