However, Hoppers’ coach Jason Akermanis said NT Thunder recruit Patrick Heenan would be named to play in Saturday’s crunch clash with Myrtleford.

Former Melbourne livewire Wonaeamirri said yesterday he was committed to the Thunder for the remainder of the season after originally entertaining the idea of leaving.

Tungatalum is still believed to be heading south but has bypassed the Hoppers in favour of former club St Arnaud.

Heenan, who watched on from the sidelines as the Hoppers lost to Corowa-Rutherglen last weekend, is on the Border and training at Bunton Park.

Akermanis expected his ­clearance to go through as soon as today.

“We’ll be naming him this week,” Akermanis said.

“He should be right, but we’ll wait and see.

“We expect it to be sorted.”

Akermanis said the Hoppers still hadn’t heard from Wonaeamirri but conceded Tungatalum was now off the radar.

The former St Kilda rookie put in a clearance to join the Hoppers last Tuesday, which was denied.

“That’s OK,” Akermanis said.

“We weren’t actively chasing any of them in the first place.

“They wanted to come into our program.”