GEELONG faces a battle to retain out-of-contract midfielder Brent Prismall who looks set to go in search of greener pastures after a couple of seasons battling for a spot alongside some of the competition’s A-list.

Speaking after the first day of trade talks at Telstra Dome on Monday, Cats football manager Neil Balme confirmed that Prismall was being wooed by cashed-up rivals.

Geelong has offered the 22-year-old a two-year contract but the promising youngster, who impressed for the Cats this year before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the Cats’ qualifying final win over St Kilda, has so far rejected the deal.

Prismall played 12 matches in 2008 but in four seasons at Geelong has been stuck behind names such as Gary Ablett, Jimmy Bartel, Joel Corey and, more recently, Joel Selwood, as he has attempted to break into the Geelong midfield rotation.

“He’s interested in pursuing the opportunities, I think it’s more about opportunity than anything else,” Balme said.

“And I think some other clubs could probably pay him a bit better than what we can with our TPP (Total Player Payments).

“We’ll be really disappointed if we lose him but, that’s what this week’s about.”

Balme said there had been “reasonable interest” in the former Western Jets junior although he said the Cats hadn’t given up hope of keeping the highly-skilled ballwinner at Skilled Stadium.

“[We’re] pretty keen to keep him,” Balme said.

“But he’s probably got all the cards at this stage.

“We’re still talking to him but we’ll see what happens.”

Balme said given Geelong wanted to keep Prismall the club hadn’t thought much about what they might seek in return should the youngster be traded. However he did say the club would want to be compensated should Prismall leave.

If Prismall remains steadfast in his desire to quit the Cattery, Geelong could be faced with the prospect of losing one of its young guns for nothing.

Melbourne – one club believed to be interested in acquiring the up-and-comer’s services – have the first pick in the pre-season draft and should the Cats be unable to strike a deal this week, Melbourne could be in the box seat to secure the young Cat.