CODE-HOPPER Karmichael Hunt has revealed he is feeling less stressed since quitting the AFL. 

 

The 27-year-old switched to rugby union in September after ending a lucrative five-year experiment as the headline act of expansion side Gold Coast.

Hunt previously spent five years playing in the NRL before being poached by the Suns. 

 

In Brisbane training with his Queensland Reds teammates, Hunt spoke openly about the challenges of his AFL journey and appeared to be relishing his return to a more familiar code. 

 

"I am sleeping a lot easier at night," Hunt said on Monday.

"My head is not as scrambled as my AFL transition.

"You can imagine the stress with trying to learn the game and skills and physically trying to change my body shape to play AFL football.

"The AFL was a fantastic challenge for me. It was the hardest challenge going around and I am happy I went for it."

The new Reds full-back is now looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow code-switcher Israel Folau and play in a Wallabies jersey.

 

Folau's AFL experience was cut short when he left Greater Western Sydney for rugby union after playing just 13 games.

 

Hunt played 44 games for the Suns after being a part of their debut season in 2011.

He spent 2010 learning the intricacies of the code playing in the Suns' VFL side.

His lucrative AFL contract expired at the end of the 2014 season.