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HARLEY Bennell will not be a Tiger in 2016 after Richmond pulled out of the race to secure the wayward Gold Coast midfielder.
The talented 23-year-old is on the market following another disciplinary breach last month and met with the Tigers during the week.
But the Tigers – who are also keen on Carlton's Chris Yarran – have decided not to pursue the troubled Sun, who has a checkered past and repeatedly broke team rules this season.
"Following discussions last week, Richmond has decided at this point it is not in a position to offer Harley Bennell a playing contract," the club confirmed on Sunday.
Who's on the move? Check out the status of 2015's free agents
Bennell could still end up at Fremantle, with his desire to return home to his native Western Australia not lost on Dockers coach Ross Lyon.
Last week, Lyon wouldn't rule out recruiting the midfielder as the Dockers – like every club – look to improve their list over the coming month.
It was just four days ago Bennell toured the Punt Road facilities and met with key Richmond personnel including development coach Mark Williams, coach Damien Hardwick and players Trent Cotchin, Ivan Maric and Dustin Martin.
They had a two-hour meeting at the club, and Bennell dined with Martin in Melbourne in the days following.
Football manager Dan Richardson said they had met with Bennell to get an insight into his journey and where he was currently at, and to decide if Richmond was the "right environment to bring out his best".
But without elaborating why, the Tigers backed away on Sunday.
The Suns finally lost patience with the contracted Bennell last month after he was charged with disorderly behaviour after allegedly arguing with a security guard in Surfers Paradise.
The incident happened just 24 hours after the Suns' final game for the year.
It came on the back of a pre-season direction to complete four weeks of community service after he broke alcohol rules, and then after he was suspended for one match with three teammates for a repeat offence following round five.
He was also in the spotlight in July when News Corp published old photos of him allegedly with illicit substances in a Tasmanian hotel room.
That incident cost him three games, a $5000 fine and direction to undergo an off-field welfare program.
