TALKS on James Aish's football future remain on hold despite the Brisbane Lions' desire to start negotiations.
Aish is about to enter the final season of the standard two-year contract he signed when picked by the Lions at No.7 in the 2013 national draft.
After five young Lions from the 2010 and 2011 drafts – Jared Polec, Patrick Karnezis, Elliot Yeo, Billy Longer and Sam Docherty – successfully sought trades to teams in their home states at the end of 2013, the Lions have implemented a raft of welfare measures to help them retain their best young players.
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The Lions have since re-signed their first three 2012 draftees: Sam Mayes and Marco Paparone until the end of 2016, and Michael Close until the end of 2017.
And they have convinced five of their first six 2013 draftees to extend their stays at the Gabba beyond their initial two-year deals: Darcy Gardiner and Lewis Taylor until the end of 2016, and Daniel McStay, Tom Cutler and Nick Robertson until the end of 2017.
Of that 2013 group, only the South Australian Aish remains unsigned beyond 2015.
Lions talent acquisition and retention manager Peter Schwab told AFL.com.au the club remained hopeful of re-signing Aish.
"We spoke to Liam Pickering his manager and of course we've had conversations with James," Schwab said.
"We'd like to start negotiating but it's on hold at the moment.
"We'll just keep working away and hopefully something will happen."
Aish has already been widely linked to the two clubs in his home state, particularly Adelaide.
If the Crows lose Patrick Dangerfield to free agency, recruiting the 19-year-old on-baller would go some way to covering his loss. Certainly, Adelaide would have no shortage of money to tempt Aish home if Dangerfield leaves.
But Port Adelaide might be able to use some family ties to entice Aish to Alberton Oval, with Power chief executive Keith Thomas a former Norwood premiership teammate of Aish's father Andrew and uncle Michael.
AFL.com.au understands the pull of home is not as strong for Aish as it is for some young players, with the main factor in his decision likely to be whether he thinks the Lions can enjoy on-field success in the next few seasons.
If Aish decides they are not well placed, then it is believed he would open to moving to a team outside South Australia.
The Lions finished 15th last season in coach Justin Leppitsch's first year at the helm with seven wins, but showed vastly improved form in the second half of the season after losing eight of their first nine games.
And after snaring star midfielders Dayne Beams (Collingwood) and Allen Christensen (Geelong) and Carlton hard-nut Mitch Robinson in last October's trade period, the Lions look likely to improve on that result this year even with the departures of Jonathan Brown (retired) and Joel Patfull (Greater Western Sydney).
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