Delisted Cat Taylor Hunt to train with St Kilda as Richmond, West Coast circle
Ex-Cat to train with Saints as Tigers, Eagles flag their interest
DELISTED Geelong midfielder Taylor Hunt will train with St Kilda next week in a bid to revive his AFL career.
The Saints have joined Richmond and West Coast among the clubs most likely to hand him a second chance.
The soon-to-be 24-year-old was not offered a contract to remain at Geelong in 2015 after discussions with clubs during the NAB AFL Trade Period fell through.
Hunt met with Richmond earlier on Thursday to discuss the potential of signing at Punt Road as a delisted free agent, having already met West Coast officials on Wednesday.
The former Cat will tour West Coast's facilities on Friday as both parties weigh up his potential move to Perth.
West Coast CEO Trevor Nisbett confirmed the Eagles' interest in Hunt ahead of his visit to the club.
"We've spoken to a few players actually who have come off lists because you've just got to do your due diligence and find out where they're at," Nisbett said.
"So we'll be looking at all those guys that have come off lists and seeing if some fit our needs."
It is understood the Brisbane Lions, who offered Hunt a three-year contract to move to Queensland a year ago, have ruled themselves out of the race.
The Lions have instead opted to pursue the services of former Carlton tough nut Mitch Robinson.
Although Hunt's prospects are still very much up in the air, his manager Anthony McConville of Mac's Sports, is optimistic a deal will get done.
Taylor Hunt in action against the Lions in round two, 2014. Picture: AFL Media
"Hopefully a decision can be made on Taylor's future in the not too distant future," McConville told AFL.com.au.
Hunt will join delisted Adelaide players Shaun McKernan and Jared Petrenko at Saints training, which begins for the first to fourth-year players next Wednesday.
The midfielder played 63 games in five seasons at the Cats but lost his place in the team as he started to struggle with injury over the past 18 months.
A groin complaint restricted him to just seven games in 2014.
Hunt was one of Geelong's top-rated endurance athletes, while he also has the versatility to play as a run-with-midfielder or small defender.
The Cats were big fans of his discipline and ability to stick to his task.
Hunt is one of a number of players who will be looking for a new home when the delisted free agency period starts on Saturday.
What will give Brisbane the edge when they meet their old foes, Adelaide, in a preliminary?
10:05
Full 2024 draft recap: Who came out on top?
Draft guru Cal Twomey teams up with Nat Edwards and Riley Beveridge to unpack all the winners and surprises from the 2024 Telstra AFL Draft
03:29
Roos explain shock pick swap, praise O’Sullivan
North Melbourne’s Will Thursfield offers insight into his club’s bold trade with Richmond and explains why No.2 pick Finn O’Sullivan is one to watch for fans
06:37
Tigers’ draft jackpot: What’s in store for 2025
Richmond’s Blair Hartley unpacks his club’s impressive draft haul and weighs in on No.1 pick Sam Lalor’s round one hopes