Hampson and Blues talks stallBy Kim Hagdorn
Sports News First
26 August 2011CARLTON big man Shaun Hampson has put contract talks on hold fuelling prospects he could leave the Blues.
Hampson, 23, is understood to be in the sights of Richmond and St Kilda for more front-line ruck duties than if he extends his blossoming career at Carlton.
The Blues have improving big man Robert Warnock and potential star ruckman-forward Matthew Kreuzer as their priority lead ruck pair, which has stalled prospects for Hampson to become a frontline Blues on-baller.
Hampson is the boyfriend of supermodel Megan Gale, who is an unabashed Blues fan.
Hampson had been expected to agree to a new deal in recent weeks as he concluded rehabilitation on a knee injury that threatened to end his season three months ago.
But it is understood Hampson has not been willing to discuss any new deal with Blues officials.
Hampson has not played since Round 13 when he tweaked knee ligaments against Sydney at Etihad Stadium, a week after Kreuzer resumed from a year out of action recovering from his anterior cruciate ligament injury to his knee.
Hampsons three outings just before his season-threatening injury had been the finest of his blooming 44-game career.
He rattled up 12 disposals and made 34 hitouts against Melbourne in Round 10 and then a career-high 36 tapouts and 13 disposals the next week against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium and then 22 taps and five tackles against Brisbane.
His superb month of June was ironically leading the Blues ruck division when Warnock was sidelined after suffering a heavy bout of concussion.
Richmond is expected to enter the market for a lead ruckman to bolster their strength and grunt around the ball.
Tigers football management is believed to have cleared way in the salary cap to afford a capable big man to bolster their potentially exciting ground level on-ball brigade headed by top draft picks Trent Cotchin and Dustin Martin.
The Tigers are also expected to be in the hunt for a powerhouse defender to play on opposition power forwards in support of reliable defenders Alex Rance, Luke McGuane and Will Thursfield who have battled out of their weight divisions this season.
http://www.sportsnewsfirst.com.au/articles/2011/08/26/hampson-and-blues-talks-stall/