Taylor Hunt Biography

Richmond delists veteran defender Steven Morris, key forward Todd Elton and backman Taylor Hunt in its first round of list changes.

"On behalf of everyone at Richmond, I would like to thank Todd and Taylor for their contribution to the club," Richmond list manager Dan Richardson said.

"We are delighted Steve will return for the VFL Tigers in 2018 and also thank him for his service as an AFL player.

"We wish them and their families all the very best for the future."

Richmond has rewarded persistent on-baller Taylor Hunt with a two-year deal that will tie him to the Tigers until the end of 2017.

"At 24 years of age, we believe his best football is ahead of him, and we're excited about what more he has to offer the team in the next few seasons," Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said.

Sydney Swans coach John Longmire has passionately defended Adam Goodes after the dual Brownlow medallist was accused of 'squirrel gripping' Richmond's Taylor Hunt.

A still image showing Goodes tangled up with Hunt was circulated across various social media platforms after the Swans' clash with the Tigers, with some journalists and footy followers accusing the Swan of foul play.

"We think, as a club, that the way that was highlighted was disgraceful," Longmire said.

"If you still a lot of pieces of play during an AFL game of football I'm sure you could make an issue of a number of different things

"To have that one highlighted in particular, I think is very poor.

"You guys make your own decisions but make them on an informed basis. When you look at the whole piece of play in its entirety whilst the game is unfolding, rather than a particular still (shot) in a moment in time."

Richmond confirms the signing of former Cat Taylor Hunt on a one-year deal.

"We have been clear in our intention to add to our midfield during the off-season, and we believe Taylor will be a strong addition to the club," Richmond's general manager of football, Dan Richardson, said in a statement.

"Taylor will complement our playing list with his speed and versatility, and we are confident he has his best football ahead of him."

After attracting interest from three clubs, Taylor Hunt will join the Tigers as a delisted free agent.

"(I) can confirm that Taylor Hunt has agreed to sign with Richmond in 2015 with paperwork to be lodged with the AFL over the weekend," Hunt's manager Anthony McConville of Mac's Sports said.

Taylor Hunt will train with St Kilda next week in a bid to revive his AFL career.

The Saints have joined Richmond and West Coast among the clubs most likely to hand him a second chance.

Geelong delist Taylor Hunt, Mitch Brown and Joel Hamling.

"We thank Taylor, Mitch and Joel for their efforts over their time at the club and wish them every success in their future endeavours," Geelong football manager Neil Balme said.

There will be no shortage of suitors for soon-to-be delisted Geelong defender Taylor Hunt, according to his manager Anthony McConville.

"He'll be a delisted free agent if that's the case, and I'm sure there won't be any shortage of potential suitors as well," McConville said.

"If that's the way it all heads then obviously we'll deal with that next week and thereafter. Hopefully something may come up in the next 24 hours but at this point in time it's more likely he'll be a delisted free agent."

Geelong coach Chris Scott says he is perplexed after Taylor Hunt is suspended for one match following a clash of heads with Lions midfielder Daniel Rich when attempting to lay a shepherd.

"We think that's inherent in the game that when your teammate has the ball, and he's being chased by an opposition player within five metres, that you … have an obligation to get in the way and stop the player reaching your teammate," Scott said.

"We think Taylor did everything he possibly could to avoid breaking the rules. In some ways, he's been penalised for bad luck."

Taylor Hunt is set to spend more time in the backline this year as he strives to rebuild his confidence after a disappointing end to last season following a broken collarbone.

"I felt like I had finally proved to myself and a lot of other people that I was good enough," Hunt said.

"So the injury did come at a pretty bad time.

"The shoulder was fine when I came back. I came back in four weeks but it could have been three. That's how quick the turnaround is with those injuries.

"But I guess I lost a little bit of confidence. And there were a few other issues. I had a sore ankle as well."

A on-field clash with Lenny Hayes leaves Cat Taylor Hunt with a broken nose but Hayes says it was just an unfortunate incident.

"It was one of those ones in footy where in hindsight you can look at the replay and it looks like there might be another option," the Saint veteran said after the match.

"But I just saw the footy and accelerated at the footy and at the last second saw Hunt out of the corner of my eye.

"By then it was probably too late to do anything else. It was an unfortunate head clash I think and I'm just happy he was OK and right to play on."

A more confident Taylor Hunt believes he can make a mark in Geelong's star-studded midfield in 2012.

"I guess when I first came to the club I wouldn't have had the capacity to be able to roll through the midfield, so it's just been a work in progress over the past couple of years," he said.

"I've had to build up my fitness base, and I've also done plenty of work on winning the contested ball, which is what Geelong pride themselves on. I had to get that up to a standard to deserve to play through the midfield."

Geelong youngster Taylor Hunt is set to spend more time as a negating midfielder after the retirement of Cameron Ling.

He's got a pretty big engine, with a bit of pace, and he's bulked up a bit over the last couple of years," Geelong assistant coach James Rahilly said.

"Taylor is definitely someone who will spend a bit of time running through the midfield, and who can keep with those pacier players. We think it will be a very good role for him."

Taylor Hunt makes his AFL debut for Geelong with 10 disposals (7 kicks and 3 handballs), 2 marks, 4 tackles and a goal in a 24-point win over West Coast.