Port discard training with TigersMark Macgugan
afl.com.au
November 19, 2013 3:54 PMDELISTED Port Adelaide midfielder Matt Thomas has received permission to train with Richmond as he seeks to keep his AFL career alive.
The 26-year-old was cut by the Power at the end of the 2013 season after 87 games.
He made only four senior appearances this year, but won the Magarey Medal as the SANFL's best and fairest player thanks to his outstanding performances at Norwood.
Thomas was linked to the Tigers during the 2012 trade period, and again this year, prior to his delisting by Port Adelaide.
Discarded Geelong rookie Ryan Bathie is also training at Punt Road, along with Port Melbourne VFL star Nathan Batsanis.
Bathie, a 198cm key forward who took up Australian football late after beginning his sporting career as a basketballer, spent three seasons on the Cats' rookie list but did not play a senior game.
He booted 30 goals in the VFL this year.
Richmond has four spots available on its senior list for 2014, at least three of which must be filled via the NAB AFL Draft on Thursday night.
After the draft, clubs will have a final three-day window in which to sign delisted free agents, running from November 22-25.
The last opportunities for players seeking new homes will then come via the pre-season and rookie drafts on November 27.
Permission to train list: Adelaide
Jesse O'Brien (Brisbane Lions).
Collingwood
Corey Gault (Collingwood).
Essendon
Michael Sikora (Essendon VFL).
Fremantle
Paul Bower (Peel Thunder), Sean Hurley (Johnstownbridge GAA).
Melbourne
Neville Jetta (Melbourne).
Port Adelaide
Frazer Dale (Carlton), Sam Gray (Port Adelaide Magpies), Daniel Kulikowski (Port Adelaide Magpies), Aseri Raikiwasa (Port Adelaide Magpies), Brent Renouf (Port Adelaide).
Richmond
Ryan Bathie (Geelong), Nathan Batsanis (Port Melbourne), Matt Thomas (Port Adelaide).
St Kilda
Cameron Banfield (Sandringham VFL), Josh Bennett (Sandringham VFL), Ned Fallon (Sandringham VFL), Kenny Ong (Sandringham VFL), Carl Peterson (Doncaster East), Ahmed Saad (St Kilda), Patrick Tiernan (Sandringham VFL), Maverick Weller (Gold Coast).
West Coast
Murray Newman (West Coast).
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-11-19/discard-training-with-tigers