Blues give Rockliff a hard sell
CARLTON has wheeled out its blue-chip sales team, using club legends Stephen Kernahan and Chris Judd in a bid to lure Tom Rockliff.
Kernahan and Judd flanked Blues coach Brendon Bolton in a recent meeting with Rockliff and his manager, Tom Petroro.
Carlton is desperate to secure the services of the former Brisbane Lions captain, aware its midfield needs topend reinforcements.
The Blues have already told Bryce Gibbs they have no plans to trade him to Adelaide, should the Crows again come knocking. Carlton has put an asking price of two first-round draft picks and a player on Gibbs’s head in a clear message it does not want him going anywhere.
The onballer, 28, has two years to run on a five-year deal worth about $600,000 a season.
Rockliff faces a choice between two clubs — the Blues and Port Adelaide — with Lions officials yesterday conceding he was little chance of staying at the Gabba.
The midfielder held talks with the Blues last Tuesday, with Carlton team of the century captain Kernahan and dual Brownlow medallist Judd spouting the virtues of joining the club.
Rockliff met Power officials days later.
Port has also met Melbourne outcast Jack Watts and is interested in Geelong’s Steven Motlop, but it is understood Rockliff is the Power’s recruiting priority.