Richmond is right in the mix for Tim Taranto, reports SEN’s Sam Edmond.
The 2016 No.2 pick is widely tipped to leave the Giants at the conclusion of the 2022 season, with the club reportedly believing they can cover his loss and are against paying a hefty contract for him.
He was drafted out of the Sandringham Dragons and is all but certain to return home to Victoria should he seek a trade. Collingwood was the original front-runner, but Edmund believes the Tigers are “coming hard”.
Geelong is the other club understood to be in the mix.
“Tim Taranto is a really interesting watch at the moment,” he said on SEN’s Crunch Time.
“Richmond are right in the mix here. I know he’s been linked heavily with Collingwood, but Richmond (is) coming hard for Tim Taranto as well.
“So the Pies have a dog in the fight here, Geelong to some extent as well, even though the Cats like the idea of Jacob Hopper in the hoops next year.”
The Tigers’ interest makes sense given Dion Prestia’s and Dustin Martin’s injury troubles this season, while Kane Lambert has retired and Shane Edwards’ best footy is behind him.
Taranto, Hopper, Tanner Bruhn and Bobby Hill are seen as the four Giants set to leave the club in the upcoming trade period.
Taranto and Hopper have both featured as two of the club’s primary on-ballers in recent years and could become elite midfielders of the competition as they enter their prime.
“So they’re slightly different, neither have reached free agent status, Taranto is 24, Hopper is 25, but Taranto is out of contract and Hopper is not,” Edmund continued.
“So logically speaking Jacob Hopper will be harder to acquire, but that’s the path the Cats want to go down.
“So Tim Taranto, if you’re sitting here right now, you’re saying he’s either going to be at Punt Road or Collingwood next year.”
Taranto is averaging 25.9 disposals, 4.1 inside 50s and 3.8 clearances throughout his 15 games in 2022.
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