Taylor Hunt says he can make it at Richmond or Brisbane Lions Matt Murnane
The Age
October 29, 2014 Dumped Geelong midfielder Taylor Hunt says he is about to enter his prime as a "defence-first player" and would be an addition at either Richmond or Brisbane Lions next season.
Seen as one of the hard luck stories of the delisting period, the soon-to-be 24-year-old believes his development in the elite Geelong system and experience playing alongside the Cats triple premiership stars has him ready to become a regular AFL contributor again.
Hunt played seven out of the Cats' first eight games this season - in a team that was sitting in the top four at that point - until injury started to impact his form and others took his spot.
Now over the groin and shoulder injuries that have restricted him over the past 18 months, Hunt said he could become a legitimate AFL player for the long-term, and would be selling that message to Richmond and Brisbane when meets with both clubs this week.
Brisbane and Richmond have also shown interest in signing sacked Carlton hard-nut Mitch Robinson, with Brisbane's offer of a two-year deal and a fresh start interstate likely to make him a Lions player next year.
It's understood the Tigers have offered Robinson only a one-year deal, so should that not eventuate, Richmond might turn to Hunt, who grew up a fanatical Tigers supporter.
Should both the Lions and Tigers options fall through, Hunt revealed he had also been offered the chance to do a pre-season trial with St Kilda ahead of the drafting period.
"The next couple of years I'll be coming into my prime," Hunt said on SEN on Wednesday.
"I've probably struggled the last couple of years, but I've been surrounded by some very good players at Geelong and they've helped me develop," he said.
"The flexibility I bring and the roles I have played in the past - whether it's been as a lockdown defender or run-with roles - I always put the team before myself and I'm a defence-first player. That's what I pride myself on."
Hunt said he felt no ill-will towards Geelong, nor regret at rejecting a three-year deal from Brisbane just 12 months ago which came on the back of two solid seasons at Geelong, which included two finals appearances.
The window for clubs to sign delisted free agents such as Hunt opens on Saturday.
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