Former Brisbane skipper Tom Rockliff is expected to make a call on his future at some stage this week, with Lions preparing his he departure.
Rockliff is a restricted free-agent, meaning that Brisbane has the ability to match any rival bid, however Lions’ chief Greg Swann says that it would be unlikely that the club would head down that path should the 27-year-old opt to leave.
“My understanding is that Tom said to ‘Fages’ that he’d explore his options and they (Rockliff’s management) told us last week that they are meeting with the Power and Carlton,” Swann said on SEN’s Hungry For Sport.
“We’ve had an offer on the take for a while so we probably expect to hear something later this week.”
Swann said that the Lions would expect an end-of-first-round compensation pick if Rockliff does depart the club.
Adelaide speedster Charlie Cameron has long been linked with a move to Queensland for family reasons, but Swann said that there is a bit to play out still due to the 23-year-old being under contract with the Crows.
“If Charlie decides that he’s coming, we’ll try and get him,” he said.
“What that looks like is Adelaide’s call because he’s a contracted player. So they hold the aces.”
Swann also hosed down speculation that young forward Josh Schache and veteran ruckman Stefan Martin may depart the club.
“I don’t think anybody had come to us with a deal for Josh,” Swann said.
“At this stage we don’t think there is anything to worry about there. He signed in the middle of the year, got back in, fell off a little bit later in the piece, but it was a pretty big year for him.”
“Stef Martin’s always staying. That was just an enquiry.”
The Lions currently hold the coveted No.1 draft pick with the likes of Cameron Rayner, Luke Davies-Uniacke and Paddy Dow all sure to come under string consideration, but Swann said that they are always open to a deal should the right offer be made.
“Last year we had pick two and went to pick three and got another draft pick in the first round,” Swann said.
“For us it’s never say never. It would have to be something exceptional for us to move and nobody has come to us for us. We are very happy to keep pick one, but if a really good deal came along you’d have to look at it.”