KARMICHAEL Hunt has been dealt another blow to his waning AFL career, being ruled out of Saturday's NEAFL match with a knee injury.
The injury is just another setback for the out-of-contract Hunt, who has endured a catalogue of problems in 2014 that have restricted him to just one senior game.
Despite the latest hiccup, Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna says the rugby league convert will be given chances over the remainder of the season to revive his career.
Hunt has been heavily linked to a switch to the Queensland Reds rugby organisation for 2015, but McKenna avoided the speculation on Friday.
Before the injury was confirmed on Friday, the Suns coach said Hunt was unlucky to miss selection for Saturday's QClash against the Brisbane Lions, but said he would get his chance soon enough.
"He's a bit stiff to not be playing this week, we probably think he'll play next week," McKenna said.
"Like other players that are out-of-contract … they've got six weeks to prove whether they should or shouldn't be (re-signed)."
Hunt has played just one of his 44 career games this year and has been cruelled by a series of injuries, including a broken toe, infection, concussion and an ongoing knee niggle.
"His data for us suggests he can certainly play AFL at the highest level," McKenna said.
"I'm not going to speculate about whether he's staying or going. He's going to have an opportunity over the last six weeks to prove that (he can play)."