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THE BRISBANE Lions are "really keen" to secure Carlton midfielder Tom Bell, but have ruled out pursuing Hawthorn defender Matt Suckling, Lions list manager Peter Schwab says.
Bell, 24, is contracted to the Blues until the end of next year but is contemplating a return to his home state of Queensland.
Schwab told NAB AFL Trade Radio on Wednesday the Lions had held discussions with Bell and his management about a move north.
"I'm pretty confident that we'll be able to do a deal with Carlton for Tom," Schwab said.
"We're really keen to get Tom back to Queensland, so we're hopeful that'll happen."
Schwab said the Lions would no longer chase Suckling despite some initial interest in the 27-year-old unrestricted free agent.
"We were interested in Matty but for circumstances around list management, we've had to curtail that," he said.
"We won't pursue that."
Meanwhile, Schwab said the Lions would explore the possibility of extending departed Geelong veteran Steve Johnson's AFL career into a 15th season, before helping him transition into a coaching role at the club.
He added Lions coach Justin Leppitsch had held preliminary discussions with Johnson, 32, despite delisting experienced campaigner and former captain Jed Adcock.
"You always look at a player of that class and quality, and see (whether) he does offer a little bit for a very young group," he said.
"We haven't ruled out that possibility but we haven't gone that far with thinking in that regard.
"I think the coach [Leppitsch] has shown some interest and might've had a chat."
Schwab said James Aish was yet to inform the Lions of his intentions for next season, but expected a decision from the talented out-of-contract midfielder in coming days.
"He hasn't indicated one way or the other but he'll have to do that soon, of course, because trading is starting next Monday," Schwab said.
"We're hopeful that he wants to stay and the longer it's taken, the more confident we've been that that might be the case."
