3 Apr 2017
He debuted for Melbourne Football Club in round four last year and it turned out to be a cracking season for Jayden Hunt, if not so much for his team. After a couple of fantastic games against Adelaide and Fremantle, Jayden even won the Harold Ball Memorial Trophy as Melbourne’s best young player (some footy pundits, as well as his coach Paul Roos, are still scratching their heads over how a NAB Rising Star nomination eluded him). But 2017 is another season and we got Jayden to tell us about life on and off the field and what he loves about Melbourne (the city rather than the footy club).
I’m someone who loves having fun and having a laugh. So I’d have to say Max Gawn for his quirky wit, Christian Petracca for his slow but loveable personality, and Jack Watts for the general energy he brings to the change rooms.
The anticipation and optimism you have as players for the upcoming season. We trained for nearly five months and everyone is ready to show the fans what we’ve improved on. The passion on game day and the happiness great wins bring, however, is the reason we play the game!
It’s a lot less physical than the pre-season, due to the fact that you need a few days to recover from games and a couple of days to rest up for the next game. Most days involve light training in the morning, some weights afterwards, then some rotations of massage, physio, football education and meetings with individual coaches.
I love the fact that there is always something happening. From the Australian Open at the beginning of the year to food markets, live music and beach parties, you’ll always find something to explore.
Golf and surfing are my biggest hobbies. Melbourne is actually world famous for its quality golf courses (I like playing the sandbelt ones) and it only takes about an hour to head down the coast for a surf. My friends and I always find something fun or quirky to do around Melbourne. The key is to be up for exploring anything.
It’s becoming less and less secret, but I love to head to the Half Moon Bay cliffs in Black Rock with my friends. Listening to some nice tunes and swimming in the bay is the best way to spend a Melbourne summer’s day. You can even see the city from there.
Probably to the MCG then walk to the city via Birrarung Marr. I think it’s such a nice walk and you really get to feel the vibe of the city. I’d then probably head down a lane to find some cool op shops and finish with a drink at a rooftop bar.
Cafe Cornerstone & Co, a lovely cafe in my neck of the woods that does awesome breakfast options with a Japanese twist.
Restaurant You can’t beat Radio Mexico. I am a little bit obsessed with Mexican and this hits the spot every time. A tip is to hang out on the grass outside Luna Park beforehand with some tunes playing and enjoying the last rays of sun before treating yourself with some tacos!
Bar I’d have to say Section 8 in the city. It’s down a laneway in Chinatown and it often has some tasty house music playing all day and into the night.
Shopping I’m not the biggest shopper there is, but I’d say Savers, which is an op-shop chain [the Brunswick outlet at 330 Sydney Road is the closest to the city]. I always seem to find something cool or strange in there for a dirt-cheap price. Can’t beat some vintage Adidas, as well.
Place for a run Ha ha, I don’t run if I don’t have to. The only running I’d do would be from my car to the surf. But running beside the Yarra River does look fun for those who do it.
Spot for kids St Kilda’s Adventure Playground [Neptune Street] is a lot of fun. It has things like flying foxes and a go-kart track. I must admit I went there with my mates last year – we weren’t even with any kids. I just haven’t grown up yet.
Way to spend $20 Find a quirky costume at Savers and wear it to one of the many festivals that happen around the state.