RIVALS SEEK LONERGAN

RETIRED Geelong defender Tom Lonergan has held talks with several AFL clubs about his future.

But any chance of him going on in a playing capacity in 2018 seems remote at this stage.

There had been talk that Lonergan may have attracted some attention from rival clubs looking to shore up their defence for a couple of years in a similar manner to what Brisbane is reportedly planning to do with Hawthorn champion Luke Hodge.

He is one of the few players in the competition who has held his own against the game’s premier forward, Lance Franklin, across his career and it had been thought that teams lacking tall defenders may have come knocking on his door. But it is understood he has not had discussions with any AFL clubs about adding to his 209-game tally.

Lonergan is keen to remain involved in football, however, and is looking to pursue a role in an off-field function.

The 33-year-old announced his retirement in typically low-key fashion at the end of the home-and-away season after Geelong defeated the GWS Giants at Simonds Stadium.

Lonergan played all bar one game during the regular season — he was rested for the Round 10 clash with Port Adelaide — and was a key to the Cats making their 12th finals appearance in 14 seasons.

He was one of Geelong’s best players in the losing preliminary final against Adelaide, his last game for the club, keeping Taylor Walker to just two goals.