BRISBANE has emerged as a contender in the race for Collingwood free agent Jamie Elliott as he continues to ponder his future.
Pies officials remain in the dark over Elliott's future after meeting with him on Thursday as he weighs up loyalty or a longer-term deal.
At 27, Elliott is seeking more certainty on his long-term future after signing only a one-year deal for 2019 after missing the entire 2018 season with hamstring setbacks.
It is believed Collingwood has offered a two-year deal.
Brisbane was circling Elliott ahead of the Grand Final last week and Lions have previously shown a history to attract injured players and offer greater security.
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The Lions' medical team was a driving factor in landing injury-plagued Geelong forward Lincoln McCarthy last year before he managed 24 games in the first season of a three-year deal.
Melbourne is also trying to lure Elliott and confirmed its interest on Friday for a three-year deal.
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"He's weighing up all the options that he's got and he's a quality player," Demons head of football Josh Mahoney said on Friday.
"He's obviously had an injury-interrupted career thus far but … he's at a very strong club and they've had a lot of success at Collingwood as well.
"I'm sure we'll find out something about that in the next few days."
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Hawthorn had been linked but denied its interest on Friday.
"I heard us linked with Jamie Elliott but we haven't spoken to him and his management," Hawks head of football Graham Wright told hawthornfc.com.au.
"Rumours go all over the place at this time of year and you can't control it and if you try to answer them all it becomes a nightmare as well."
Fringe Lions surveying options
Sought-after Collingwood free agent Jamie Elliott's decision on his future could impact on a series of out-of-contract Lions.
Allen Christensen, Tom Cutler, Nick Robertson and Lewis Taylor have all played regular senior football for Brisbane in recent seasons but find themselves without deals in October.
Departing Crow Cam Ellis-Yolmen will join the Lions as a free agent, while Brisbane is in a race with Melbourne, in particular, for goalkicker Elliott, who could also remain a Pie.
Christensen's forward role could come under threat if Elliott chooses to play for Chris Fagan's team, while Cutler, Robertson and Taylor are already exploring their options.
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AFL.com.au reported that Essendon and Carlton are showing some interest in Cutler, Fremantle and Adelaide look to be Robertson's best hopes, and Sydney has made preliminary enquiries about Taylor.
Matt Eagles will be delisted and re-drafted, with the AFL approving the Lions' application to retain him as a Category B rookie for a fourth year, so long as another club doesn't pick him first.
The Lions are keeping several spots open but further trade activity will make it a tight squeeze for this group and the likes of Ryan Bastinac, Josh Walker and Sam Skinner. - Marc McGowan
Steven deal no certainty: Wells
Any potential Jack Steven move from St Kilda to Geelong is "a long way off", Cats list boss Stephen Wells says.
Four-time Saints club champion Steven and his management have met with Wells but he is contracted for next year.
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The 29-year-old played only seven senior games this past season as he took extended leave to focus on his mental health.
"If it turned out he came to Geelong, we'd be going in eyes wide open and understanding what that would mean to Jack and what we could expect if Jack did come to Geelong," Wells told Telstra AFL Trade Radio.
"But I think that one has now become a long way off.
"St Kilda, where he's contracted, of course, are a good club and if he ends up playing there, I'm sure they'll be doing everything, like we would, to help Jack get back to being the best footballer he can be and happy in his life." - Marc McGowan
In other news:
- Gold Coast lodged paperwork to make dual premiership Tiger Brandon Ellis' move north official on Friday. Richmond now has three days to decide on whether to match the offer for the restricted free agent which appears highly unlikely.
- St Kilda conceded on Friday it will need to move out pick six in order to achieve its wishlist in this year's Telstra Trade Period.
- Greater Western Sydney wingman Adam Tomlinson made official his wish to explore his free agency rights that will see him join Melbourne in coming days.
