‘Lions in the blood’: No move for Brisbane skipper, manager insists
Tom Rockliff’s agent expects the Brisbane captain to stay at the embattled club, saying the onballer has the Lions in his blood.
Speculation is rife about the futures of Rockliff and teammate Pearce Hanley, with the former linked with a move to Adelaide and reports Hanley has visited Gold Coast’s facilities.
But the day after Brisbane appointed Chris Fagan as their new coach, Rockliff’s manager Tom Petroro said his client did not want to leave the club.
“Unless the current regime has a different spin on this, and something drastic happens in the next couple of weeks, I can’t see Tom moving,” Petroro told AFL trade radio.
“But I doubt that would be the case.”
Petroro noted it had been a tough couple of years for Rockliff.
This year, the Lions only avoided the wooden spoon because of Essendon’s makeshift team.
“There’s probably been time where he’s considered that (leaving), but if you know Tom well, and you know how loyal he is, there’s Lions in his blood,” Petroro said.
“It’s been more about speculation than Tom seeking to look around.”
While there is ongoing talk about who might leave the Lions, at least one player from a rival club looks set to join them.
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The AFL website reports that Collingwood defender Jack Frost, who is out of contract, is set to join the Lions on a three-year deal provided a deal can be done.
Frost has played 54 games for the Magpies, but only managed 10 this season and was not in the senior side after round 12.
Also yesterday:
- Essendon confirmed that top-up players James Kelly and Matt Dea, two success stories for the Bombers this season, will stay at the club.
- North Melbourne forward Aaron Black has left the club after 50 games and could go to Fremantle.
- Gold Coast ruckman Tom Nicholls and teammate Jack Leslie have re-signed with the Suns.
- Veteran Richmond ruckman and former Crows Ivan Maric has killed off speculation about his future, signing a one-year deal with the Tigers.
- Richmond and Port Adelaide defender Troy Chaplin, who retired in July, will join Melbourne as an assistant coach.
-AAP
