Axed Lion waits on AFL draft

Lee Gaskin | 20th November 2009

RHAN Hooper's AFL career could yet be revived, with four clubs considering throwing the Ipswich-based small forward a lifeline.

Former Brisbane Lion Rhan Hooper could soon leave Ipswich for an interstate opportunity.

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RHAN Hooper’s AFL career could yet be revived, with four clubs considering throwing the Ipswich-based small forward a lifeline.

Hooper was one of 52 senior-list players to nominate for next week’s national draft, meaning the former Brisbane Lion could be snapped up by any one of the competition’s 16 clubs.

Richmond appears to be the most likely suitor after the Tigers invited Hooper to Melbourne for pre-season training.

However, the Tigers have made it clear there are no guarantees they will select Hooper in either the national draft or next month’s pre-season draft.

“We’ve invited Rhan down here for pre-season but at this point it’s to see more of him,” Richmond football operations manager Craig Cameron told The Australian.

“If it (the trial) is to go anywhere he has to be comfortable with us, so we’ll see what happens.

“He’s young, he’s got talent and he’s a quick, small forward and we’d like more of that type.

“But we can’t overlook the fact he’s been delisted under contract either.”

That could open the door for Hawthorn, which has reportedly been in talks with the 21-year-old.

The Hawks have a raft of fourth and fifth-round draft choices and may choose to use one of them on Hooper, who would provide the perfect foil for tall forwards Lance Franklin and Jarryd Roughead.

Axed by the Brisbane Lions with one year left to run on a lucrative $300,000 contract, Hooper’s dispute has been referred to the AFL’s grievance tribunal.

By entering the draft, any club can select the former Ipswich Eagles player on the AFL’s basic wage.

Hooper’s manager Peter Whitehead told The Australian his client’s main focus was finding a new club.

“No one knows with any certainty at this stage (whether he will receive a second chance) but there has been interest from four clubs, Richmond among them, which is encouraging,” Whitehead said.

“There’s a bit of water to flow under the bridge yet on his departure from Brisbane.

“But we’re not dwelling on that.

“The priority is for Rhan to get a new home and re-establish himself as an AFL player.”

The AFL national draft will be held on Thursday, November 26.