YARRAWONGA-raised Geelong star Tom Lonergan has become a surprise target for the Western Bulldogs as the AFL trade period heats up.
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Lonergan, who has played 145 games for the Cats, has not publicly declared any wish to leave Geelong but has attracted strong interest from the Bulldogs as they look to bolster their undermanned key position stocks.
An unsolicited offer is rumoured to be on the table but whether Geelong would be willing to entertain a trade is another question entirely.
The news came on the same day Allen Christensen declared he would be seeking a trade away from the Cats for “non-football reasons”.
Geelong released a statement indicating Christensen, 23, had expressed a desire to continue his career elsewhere.
Preliminary talks have been held with the Brisbane Lions.
Christensen’s manager Tim Hazell confirmed his client wanted a move.
“It is a decision taken purely for personal reasons,” Hazell said.
“He simply feels that at 23 he wants a fresh start to his football elsewhere.
“We will work through this process with the club in the hope of securing an outcome satisfactory to both parties.”
Lions chief executive Greg Swann confirmed the club’s interest.
“If he’s keen, we’re very, very interested,” Swann said.
“We haven’t got all of the details. He (Christensen’s manager) rang Peter Schwab, suggested he might want to come north.”
Gold Coast could also be in the mix to secure Christensen as it has picks eight and 15 in the national draft.
Christensen is considered one of Geelong’s most promising young players and is likely to demand plenty in return for the talented midfielder.
Christensen played eight games this season after returning from back surgery and has played 65 games for the Cats in total, including the 2011 grand final win over Collingwood.
Lonergan, 30, played 23 games this year and was a crucial player in that same grand final victory.
He’s still considered a key component of the Cats’ defence.
Geelong made a big offer for Melbourne free agent James Frawley before he signed with Hawthorn, indicating coach Chris Scott believes his side’s key position ranks need bolstering.
However with Lonergan coming to the end of his career, Scott may try to cash in on the veteran defender before age catches up to him.
The Dogs have long been looking for key position players to complement an emerging young midfield.
Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney was a development coach at Geelong for several years.
