Lions veteran Luke Hodge does not expect Hawthorn champion Cyril Rioli to come out of retirement and join him at Brisbane next season.
It comes after former Adelaide and Geelong player Ronnie Burns told the Marngrook Footy Showย that Hodge was trying to recruit Rioli to the Queensland club.
But the former Hawthorn skipper has poured cold water on the prospect of Rioli pulling the boots back on.
โI was just as shocked as anyone else. I was lying at home and saw it on Twitter and it was the first I heard of it,โ Hodge told Chanel Seven'sย Game Day.
โIโm tipping Cyrilโs back home enjoying some family time back in Darwin.
โMind you, Iโd love to see Cryil up there, but I canโt see it happening.โ
Hodge added that he expects ex-skipper Dayne Beams to stay at the Lions despite being linked to a return to Melbourne.
โI guess in Melbourne you try to find a story anywhere," he said.
"His wife is from Melbourne and he lost his father earlier in the year which was heartbreaking for him, but heโs contracted to 2020 and heโs been outstanding for us on field.
โFrom what Iโve seen I donโt have any indication of him going back. I could see him staying at Brisbane until the end of his contract.โ
