Bennell toured the Tigers' Punt Road headquarters last week and had a two-hour meeting at the club after meeting key personnel including development coach Mark Williams, coach Damien Hardwick and player leaders Trent Cotchin, Ivan Maric and Dustin Martin.

Bennell then dined with Martin in Melbourne a few days later, heightening speculation that the Tigers could be willing to take a risk on the troubled 23-year-old.

However that speculation was squashed on Sunday when the club confirmed it would not continue to pursue Bennell, who has been cut by Gold Coast due to a series of off-field indiscretions.

There was speculation on Sunday that Bennell did not complete his scheduled medical assessment with the Tigers, a twist that has wiped out a potential deal upwards of $500,000 a season.

Without going into detail as to the reasons behind their decision, the Tigers confirmed they would pass in a short statement, saying that: "following discussions last week, Richmond has decided at this point it is not in a position to offer Harley Bennell a playing contract".

It leaves Fremantle with a seemingly clear run at the West Australian, if they want to take the punt, or perhaps even West Coast.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon said last week that the club would explore whether Bennell could grow at their club.

Benell was on his last chance with the Suns after a drugs scandal that broke in July.

Front-page newspaper photos which allegedly showed Bennell with drugs at a Launceston hotel in March, 2013.

Bennell apologised and made a successful return, playing six games at the end of the season.

But the Suns decided to trade him after police charged him following an incident early last month outside a Gold Coast nightclub.

With aap