As Brisbane and Carlton prepare to square off at Etihad Stadium, the hullabaloo over James Aish continued to heat up.
Aish, who has been dropped twice this season by the winless Lions, is off contract at the end of the AFL season and already has suitors lining up.
The Blues are near the front of the queue for the talented midfielder, however Aish's manager Liam Pickering rejected reports his client met with Carlton officials earlier this week.
"It's not true. They didn't fly to Gold Coast to meet James Aish," Pickering told radio station SEN on Saturday.
"I have spoken to Carlton ... and I've spoken to Brisbane. He has not met Carlton at any stage.
The expectation is Aish, taken with pick No.7 in the 2013 draft, will depart the Gabba after his mandatory two-year contract expires.
Pickering noted there was "no question" the Lions are planning on as much, despite the fact Aish had not made his mind up.
"It's laughable the amount of pressure they're trying to put on this kid," he added.
Brisbane chief executive Greg Swann admitted last month the club was "not overly confident" of retaining the 19-year-old.
However, Lions football director Leigh Matthews was somewhat more optimistic on Saturday.
"It's false to say that the Lions are resigned to him leaving, because that is not our position," Matthews said on radio station 3AW.
"I don't think James knows what he's going to do at the end of the year.
"That's fine.
"The Lions would like him to commit. If he doesn't want to commit, that's his choice."
Matthews was happy for Aish to discuss his future with rival clubs.
The issue has proven incredibly divisive in recent years, but Blues coach Mick Malthouse suggested it would continue unless a rule is put in place.
"I would not be unhappy if the AFL said you cannot talk to players who are in contract," Malthouse said.
Aish and ruckman Matthew Leuenberger were recalled by the Lions for Sunday's clash, while Kade Simpson was placed in Carlton's 22 by Clem Smith on Saturday.
Share
