LIONS coach Leigh Matthews says his club would always be interested in a player of Daniel Kerr's quality, but admits securing the West Coast star is easier said than done.
The 2005 Brownlow Medal runner-up is contracted for another year with the Eagles but is understood to be seeking a possible move, with rival clubs lining up to make offers during trade week in October.
Matthews, whose future as coach was under scrutiny after last week's loss to Carlton cost the Lions a place in the finals series, is trying to focus his players' attention on Saturday night's round-22 clash with the Swans at the SCG.
But the major issue swirling around the 10th-placed Lions at the moment is Jonathan Brown's future.
The Lions co-captain is yet to commit to next season and Melbourne clubs are keen to lure the 26-year-old Victorian home with a lucrative contract.
Brown has kicked 70 goals this season despite carrying injuries at centre half-forward.
"The obvious answer is yes because they are good players, but it's not as simple as that," Matthews said at the SCG when asked about his interest in 25-year-old Kerr.
"There's like; 'What percentage of your salary cap would it cost to get him' and all that stuff.
"I can be quoted saying; 'Yeah, Brisbane Lions are interested in Daniel Kerr', but you'd be interested in Chris Judd, or you'd be interested in Lance Franklin.
"Any good player we'd be interested in but the logistical practical getting of them is very different than just saying; 'They're good players, you'd like them in your team'."
Matthews, who guided the Lions to their 2001-03 premierships, is contracted for an 11th season with the Lions in 2009.
But he says 2008 has been a failure after the Lions dropped from sixth in round 16 to 10th last weekend and will miss the finals.
The former Hawthorn superstar, named as the AFL's player of the 20th century, spoke earlier this year of his fondness for Kerr's playing style.
Asked if any current footballer reminded him of his own robust playing style, Matthews said: "The name that popped into my mind was Daniel Kerr, for some reason.
"He isn't as bulky as I was, but he's a sort of bore-in midfielder who can be dangerous in the forward line."
A four-time premiership mentor, including Collingwood's 1990 flag, Matthews knows the value of momentum going into a finals campaign.
Geelong last week became the first team in AFL/VFL history to win 38 games in a 40-match sequence.
"You can be undefeated for the whole season as Geelong almost are but you've still got to win the preliminary final and the grand final to win the premiership," Matthews warned.
He said it was difficult to compare sides of different eras, but added: "The pure statistical facts are no team in my living memory has won 37 out of 38 games.
"So clearly in that period they have been more dominant for almost two seasons than any other side in my memory."
