MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: Lachie Whitfield, Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto of the Giants look dejected after losing the round 9 AFL match between the Richmond Tigers and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Marvel Stadium on May 15, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Hybrid threat Tim Taranto is set to end his tenure as a Giant after six seasons following reports that the 24-year-old will request a trade to Tigerland as early as next week.
Though seen as a crucial cog in Sydney's West, an improved offer to make Richmond his home from 2023 and beyond is said to have been enough to have the Victorian eyeing off a shift back across the Murray.
As first reported by SEN's Sam Edmund, the former top-three draft draftee will land at Punt Road despite the best efforts of Giants powerbrokers to keep him at Tom Wills Oval.
The news of Taranto's impending request comes at a pivotal period for Damien Hardwick's ambush given the latest soft tissue setback for Dion Prestia, as well as the ambiguity surrounding Dustin Martin's future in yellow and black.
Speaking on Saturday afternoon, Edmund divulged that Richmond had edged out Collingwood in the race for the Sandringham Dragons product.
“My expectation is (Taranto) is going to be a put a trade request in to Richmond in the coming days,” Edmund said in the hours before Collingwood's qualifying final clash with the Cats.
“Now the Tigers are out of the finals race, my expectation is this is going to happen very soon.
“GWS wanted to keep him, they offered him a range of options. He was the one they wanted to keep.
“I think he’s a nice fit at the Tigers, Dion Prestia and Jack Graham’s injury left them really (depleted) in midfield.”
Secondary reports from Jon Ralph of The Herald Sun claim that the Tigers' seven-year, $750,000 per season offer comprehensively dwarfed the Giants' respective deal.
Since being plucked with the second pick from the 2016 National Draft, Taranto has turned out in charcoal and orange on 98 occasions, with his best form seeing him claim best and fairest honours in 2019.
Taranto was also named within the AFLPA's 22under22 team in both 2019 and 2020.
Richmond currently holds picks 12, 19, 30 and 84 to help secure a trade for the non-free agent.