James Aish has told Brisbane he wants to be traded to Collingwood but the Lions have no intention of helping him find a new AFL home.
The talented 19-year-old, who is in the last year of his contract, is keen to join the Magpies, but the Lions hold out hope of convincing him to stay.
“We understand his position but the club has no intention of trading James,” chief executive Greg Swann said via a statement released on Thursday.
“That’s all we have to say on it right now.”
Brisbane football director Leigh Matthews set the tone for his club’s hardline stance during AFL grand final week.
“James Aish will either be playing at the Lions or he’ll be going into the draft,” Matthews told Adelaide radio station 5AA.
“He won’t be traded, that I can guarantee you.”
Aish, the seventh overall pick at the 2013 draft, has played 32 games in two seasons with Brisbane.
His playing future has been the subject of persistent speculation throughout the season and his decision to seek a trade continues a horror run for the Lions, who have struggled to retain high-end young talent in recent years.
Jared Polec, Sam Docherty, Elliot Yeo, Patrick Karnezis and Billy Longer – all first-round draft picks – were traded out of the club after requesting a move at the end of 2013.
As recently as Wednesday, Brisbane list manager Peter Schwab said that he remained hopeful that Aish would recommit to the club.
However, he learned of Aish’s decision at a meeting with his manager, Liam Pickering, on Thursday.
“They’ve got the power in the end and they would need to work out whether they want to lose James Aish for nothing or whether they want to do a deal,” Pickering told Trade Radio.
“I understand what Leigh said but I’m a bit disappointed in what he said.
“James has been there for two years and he’s got every right to request a trade, so well see how it pans out.”
Nathan Buckley’s onball brigade could be significantly bolstered at the coming trade period with Greater Western Sydney young gun Adam Treloar also requesting a trade to Collingwood.
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