By Jim Morton
October 16th 2009 @ 1:35am
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Harding may join Karmichael on Gold Coast
Karmichael Hunt’s hopes for a familiar face to assist his AFL apprenticeship may come to fruition with ‘brother-in-law’ Scott Harding delisted by the Brisbane Lions.
Speedy midfielder Harding, whose sister Emma is Hunt’s long-time partner, was among seven senior players let go by the Lions on Thursday.
The 23-year-old Brisbane product was influential in encouraging Hunt’s shock decision to switch codes to sign a three-year deal with AFL expansion club Gold Coast.
The friends played AFL together at high school under the coaching of Harding’s father Russell, which was the last time the league star played Australian football.
Hunt, currently hoping to pick up a short-term rugby union contract overseas, is due to start training with Gold Coast in late May and would make his senior debut in the VFL.
The club then enters the AFL in 2011.
Harding can put his name forward to the national or pre-season draft in an attempt to continue his 48-game AFL career but appears unlikely to be picked up by an interstate club.
Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna intends recruiting some bigger, more experienced former AFL players to bolster their talented crop of youngsters as they graduate from the TAC Cup to the VFL next year.
A club official denied they had spoken to Harding but they will assess the available playing stock left after the national and pre-season drafts.
The explosive Harding, given every chance by Brisbane coach Michael Voss to succeed, played 15 senior games for the Lions this year but paid the price for a lack of precision with his foot skills and decision making.
Defenders Joel Macdonald and Jason Roe, small forward Rhan Hooper, and young trio Scott Clouston, Kieran King and Matt Tyler were also cut by the club as they trimmed their list to welcome five trade week signings.
The blockbuster deal with Carlton full forward Brendan Fevola also meant players needed to be moved on to free up space under the salary cap.
The reliable Macdonald, 25, now looms as one of the most attractive players on offer at the national draft.
The rebounding defender played all 22 home-and-away matches before struck down by injury in the finals.
Brisbane’s inability to fit him under the salary cap had seen Macdonald put up for a straight swap with North Melbourne’s Jesse Smith during trade week.
Hawthorn have reportedly shown interest in Macdonald, who moved to Queensland at 15 and is keen to return to Victoria.
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