Tom Rockliff rubbishes talk he talked to rival AFL clubs, wants to remain captain

VOTE: TOM Rockliff has rubbished suggestions he wanted out of the Brisbane Lions at the end of the season and is determined to retain the club’s captaincy.

Tom Rockliff could loss the Brisbane Lions captaincy. Picture: Tara Croser

BRISBANE Lions captain Tom Rockliff has rubbished suggestions he wanted out of the club at the end of the season.

Rockliff said he never spoke to rival clubs during the AFL Trade Period when his future was extremely clouded and the Lions were in upheaval off the field as coach Justin Leppitsch was sacked and Chris Fagan hired.

The Lions have struggled in recent seasons and Rockliff has been singled out as a disruptive force in the playing group.

CHRIS FAGAN: LIONS CAPTAINCY UP FOR GRABS

WHITFIELD PROBE: LIONS FACING PLAYER WELFARE CRISIS

LIST CHANGES: YOUNG LION QUITS, MAGPIE RETURNS HOME

However, Rockliff was adamant he was committed and was looking forward to being part of the Lions future.

“I didn’t speak to any other clubs, it was more about me catching up with the new football people put in place. Chris Fagan obviously came on board and David Noble,” he told SEN Radio.

“Once we had that meeting and went through where they thought I sat, where I thought the club sat it was a really good meeting for all parties.

Tom Rockliff denies he talked to rivals during the off-season. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

“In the end we both came to the decision we thought it was best that I stay, continue to improve and hopefully rebuild this football club. I definitely did not talk to another club.

“I’ll always love the Brisbane Lions and the opportunity they gave me as an 18-year-old.

“I’m excited about the direction the football club is heading and we have some really exciting young talent and I’m glad that I’m going to be a part of it.”

With the arrival of Fagan from Hawthorn as senior coach and Noble from Adelaide as football general manager, Rockliff’s position as captain has been questioned.

The star midfielder said he wanted to retain the captaincy but would accept the decision of his teammates.

“Absolutely, he’s (Fagan) been up front with me,” he said.

Tom Rockliff is not guaranteed the captaincy in 2017.

“The club or he outlined clearly to me there will be a process that we go through to select the leaders for 2017 and if I remain captain, I remain captain and if not I’ll fully support who it is.

“Obviously I would enjoy it (captain) but in saying that if I’m not captain then I’m fine with that.

“I think we’ve got some really good people who can do that job for us and it’s going to be an exciting period for the football club.”

Rockliff believed the likes of Dayne Zorko, Dayne Beams or Daniel Rich were well placed to take over the role as the club develops its future leaders.

“You look at our age demographic we are quite young so I’m sure over the coming years those boys will put their hands up and we’ll be able to identify in the next two years who the next captain is,” he said.

Originally published as Tom Rockliff rubbishes talk he talked to rival AFL clubs, wants to remain captain