Richmond recruit Shaun Hampson lucky to be given second chance at high draft price

SHAUN Hampson is a lucky bloke — and not just because he often has brekky with Megan Gale, writes Mark Robinson. Did the Tigers pay too much?

SHAUN Hampson is a lucky bloke — and not for the reason you might be thinking. You know, often having brekky with Megan Gale.

At 25, he's played 63 games in seven years for Carlton. At different times, he’s had a failing body, a bad knee, iron hands and a dodgy right foot.

And yesterday he was traded to Richmond for pick No. 28, which might end up being pick No. 32 with free agency compo picks incorporated.

On the surface, it is a staggering decision by the Tigers.

You’d agree to a third-rounder, but a second-rounder is a little too high for a lucky dip.

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Try some of these players between drafted between picks 22 and pick 30 in recent years: Jack Darling, Cameron Guthrie, Jack Gunston, Mitch Duncan, Jake Carlisle, Dayne Beam, Jack Redden.

The Tigers are taking a punt.

Of course, it helps if you are 201cm and the second ruck at your new club is a 31-year-old journeyman named Orren Stephenson.

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Still, Hampson is lucky to have 1) a club prepared to invest so heavily in him and b) the opportunity to make a statement as to what sort of footballer he wants to be remembered as being.

Hampson is good-looking footballer.

He’s tall, he can mark, he can ruck and he can run. The problem is we haven’t seen him doing all of that on a consistent basis.

His past four seasons have returned games tallies of six, 13, nine and eight.

They are not the numbers of a pick No. 28.

Maybe the Tigers, under the astute eye of list manager Blair Hartley, sees something special when others see pedestrian.

In recent years, Hartley identified and landed Bachar Houli, Shaun Grigg, Ivan Maric, Troy Chaplin and Steve Morris.

Hartley went after Hampson soon after Carlton’s season had ended.

He was aware Hampson has a problematic posterior cruciate ligament which kept him on the sidelines for most of the year, but the interest was strong.

Talks, a medical, a contract believed to be three years at about $250,000 with added incentives, was all completed, leaving the delicate issue of satisfying Carlton in a trade deal.

So, the Tigers offered pick No.28, and the Blues said you had us at hello.

The Blues would never disrespect one of their own, but it’s safe to say they wanted the deal as much as the Tigers.

Maybe Richmond fell in love with Hampson after Round 1 this year.

In that match, Hampson took eight marks, the second highest return in his career, and hounded the Tigers' defence.

Clearly, the Tigers have invested in Hampson and Hampson has to reward that investment.

He looks alright in the yellow and black! 😉 RT @topdogmgmt: A new Tiger! pic.twitter.com/fHKfwPC64z

— Megan Gale (@MeganKGale) October 7, 2013

Promising is Richmond’s ability to improve its players.

When Maric arrived from Adelaide, he had similar poor averages as Hampson. Then Maric blossomed, although this year he battled away with suspect groins, which makes the Hampson deal a little more understanding.

Hampson will ruck, allowing Ty Vickery to play as a permanent forward, and will play forward which will free up Jack Riewoldt who does get the double-team.

The question is: Can he hold up his end of the bargain?

As for bargains, the Blues think they found one, and will try to use No.28 to entice Shane Savage from Hawthorn.