Brisbane's Rhys Mathieson is reportedly "exploring a trade" this off-season as he weighs up his future in Queensland, with Brisbane confirming the midfielder could be up for grabs in 2022.
The Bell Park product is contracted for 2023, however multiple high-profile midfielders destined to join the Lions this off-season has left the 25-year-old to assess his options for next season.
The Lions are in line to land wantaway Bulldogs star Josh Dunkley in the coming days, while likely No.1 pick Will Ashcroft will join Brisbane as a father-son selection at the National Draft next month.
The pair will add to an already star-studded engine room ensemble at the Lions, with Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluaggage, Zac Bailey, Jarrod Berry, Cam Rayner and Jarryd Lyons all fighting for midfield minutes.
The situation has left Mathieson to seek a move elsewhere with a week left in the 2022 trade period, with 7 News'ย Mitch Cleary revealing the Victorian could join a second club after seven years in Queensland.
"One other name to watch with the last week of trade period is Brisbane's Rhys Mathieson," Cleary revealed on Wednesday night.
"He's exploring a trade given the Lions are set to bring in Josh Dunkley and Will Ashcroft."
Brisbaneโs Rhys Mathieson is exploring a trade. Has a year to run on his deal at the Lions but aware already limited opportunities are going to get tougher with Dunkley and Ashcroft arriving.
Has no strong suitors as yet but a name to track into the final week of trade period https://t.co/OodqEM61XR
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) October 5, 2022
Rival clubs are sure to show an interest in Mathieson's services after the hard-nosed midfielder cemented his place under Chris Fagan following a dominant VFL campaign in the opening half of 2022.
While Mathieson's management has "indicated" they may seek a move, an official trade request is yet to be lodged.
โHis manager did indicate to us earlier this week that he may be open to one,โ Lions football boss Danny Daly told Trade Radioย on Thursday.
โBut as yet we haven't been given anything official by his management or Rhys.
โAt this point, he hasn't asked for a trade, but if he was to do that, we'd have a chat with him about it and work through what the best situation is for the club and for Rhys, understanding what he wants to do as well.
โBut as yet, we haven't been asked to trade him.โ
Mathieson averaged 33.5 disposals, 8.9 clearances, 5.0 marks, 6.2 inside 50s and almost a goal per game in the second-tier competition and was able to transfer some of his form to the top flight across his 10 AFL appearances this year.
The contested ball-winner has played 72 games for Brisbane since making his debut in 2016, amassing a career average of 15.49 disposals, 3.07 tackles, 3.29 clearances and 7.86 contested possessions.
