Lions in early to secure big Cat

AFL BRISBANE and Gold Coast kickstarted the annual trade period but proceedings quickly settled into the standard poker game leaving the future of stars such as Lachie Neale and Steven May in limbo.

Geelong forward Lincoln McCarthy joined the Lions on a three-year deal with the first trade yesterday morning that will see the Cats and Lions exchange third and fourthround picks.

The 24-year-old has managed just 29 games since being drafted at No.66 in 2011 due to a series of foot, hip, hamstring and back injuries.

Brisbane football manager David Noble said the Lions’ focus this exchange period was for players in the 23-26 yearsof-age bracket.

“Lincoln McCarthy fits that brief and has certainly been a player of interest for us over the past 12 months,” he said.

The Suns were also busy early, declining the option of matching Richmond’s offer for unrestricted free-agent Tom Lynch and farewelling the second former captain in as many years.

However, they quickly struck deals for unwanted Tigers pair Anthony Miles and Corey Ellis for an exchange of third-round picks.

Miles, 26, has managed 71 games across his seven seasons and finished fourth in the 2015 best and fairest. He dominated at VFL level this year and tied for the JJ Liston Trophy as the competition’s best player.

Ellis, who turns 22 today, has played 27 games since being drafted at No.12 in 2014.

Following these deals, the trade period reverted to its usual pace.

Brisbane have offered Docker Lachie Neale a fiveyear $4 million contract and are prepared to part with draft pick No.4 but recently appointed football manager and former captain Peter Bell is intent on convincing the twotime club champion to stay.

The 25-year-old is contracted for next season and due to become a restricted free agent at the end of 2019.

“Being a new footy manager on day three (of the job), it would be a feather in my cap if Lachie stayed at the footy club, so that’s what we’re working towards,” Bell said.

Meanwhile, Freo is waiting to hear if Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan will request a trade home after touring the club’s Cockburn facility last week.

It could have ramifications for the Suns with Melbourne likely to receive a top 10 draft pick if he chooses to return to Western Australia. That pick could get the deal done for May.

Brisbane’s pursuit of Bulldog Marcus Adams has also hit a snag with the Dogs’ list and recruiting manager Sam Power declaring he was not up for trade. Adams told the club over the weekend he wished to play for the Lions.

Adams inked a contract extension last year to keep him at the club until the end of 2020.

“We’ll hold him to the contract. He’s a required player,” Power said.