Richmond, Collingwood, Essendon and Geelong are all interested in GWS star Tim Taranto, reports Sam McClure.
Taranto’s two-year contract with the Giants expires at season’s end.
The 24-year-old is yet to decide on his future beyond this year as a host of Victorian clubs circle the out-of-contract midfielder.
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“It’s always around this time of year where a player emerges as someone that could have a huge domino effect on the rest of the trade period,” McClure told Sportsday.
“Tim Taranto is going to be it this year.
“He’s been offered an extension, but it’s on less money that he’s currently on.
“He’s only 24, so he’s not a free agent.
“The clubs that are in for him are the big clubs – we’re talking Richmond, Collingwood, Essendon, Geelong. Maybe even St Kilda, although I think they would be further down the line. They were interested in him a couple of years ago.
“Tim Taranto, I think, will end up being the one that is squeezed out and there are going to be plenty of suitors as I’ve just told you.”
McClure added: “I would say right now, Richmond would be the hot favourite (to sign Taranto).”
Taranto recently said contract talks with the Giants had been put on hold while he recovered from a back injury.
The No. 2 pick in the 2016 draft insists he’s “really happy” in Sydney.
“We kind of paused talks when I hurt my back and, to be honest, for the last six weeks, that’s all I’ve been doing and I’m still trying to get match fitness back,” Taranto told reporters earlier this month.
“So I haven’t really talked too much about it, but we’re in a good spot. I’m really happy, still loving Sydney. Nothing’s changed.
“We’re just working through a few things now that I’m getting back to playing footy, but the first focus is just to get back to my best footy.”
AFL Media reporter Cal Twomey told SEN Breakfast in late March that clubs “will come very hard” for Taranto.
Taranto, a best and fairest winner with the Giants in 2019, is averaging 26.4 disposals and four clearances per game this season.