Brisbane midfielder Tom Rockliff will decide his future in the back half of the season
TOM Rockliff has bounced back from the most challenging year of his career in stunning fashion. But will he still be at the Lions beyond the 2017 season?
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BRISBANE Lions vice-captain Tom Rockliff will decide his future in the back half of the season after bouncing back from the most challenging year of his career.
The reinvigorated ball winner is one of this year’s most intriguing free-agency prospects, and neither Brisbane nor Rockliff is in a rush to finalise a new deal.
The out-of-contract tough nut was at the crossroads last season amid a fallout with then coach Justin Leppitsch but has rediscovered his All-Australian form under new coach Chris Fagan.
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Rockliff, 27, is the AFL’s top clearance winner this year, averaging 10 a game, and is rated elite for disposals (average 30), tackles (eight), contested possessions (15) and SuperCoach points (123).
His sharply improved form is the second biggest spike recorded by Champion Data this season, behind only Gary Ablett.
Fagan has lauded Rockliff’s attitude and leadership after some “uncomfortable conversations” late last year, when the new coach told Rockliff “all of the things I’d heard about him”.
Rockliff subsequently lost the captaincy to Dayne Beams but has shown total commitment to the Lions’ cause so far this season and is one of the frontrunners for the best-and-fairest award.
Fagan is one of the keys to helping keep Rockliff at the club, but the Lions could be rewarded with a first or second-round compensation pick if the Victorian leaves as a free agent.
Brisbane is bottom of the ladder, meaning first-round compensation could net it pick No. 2, but only if Rockliff is paid more than about $700,000 at a new club.
A lesser salary would trigger a second-round compensation pick — No. 19 on current standings.
However, the Lions may be reluctant to lose another top-end talent after a string of departures in recent years, including Pearce Hanley (Gold Coast), Elliot Yeo and Jack Redden (West Coast), Sam Docherty (Carlton), Jared Polec (Port Adelaide) and Billy Longer (St Kilda).
The Lions’ 2015 No. 2 draft pick Josh Schache, 19, is also considering a move back home to Victoria.
Collingwood showed interest in Rockliff last season but instead opted for Fremantle utility Chris Mayne, who is languishing in its VFL team.
Rockliff dislocated his left shoulder in the loss to Hawthorn on Saturday. He could return for Sunday week’s match against Collingwood at the MCG, or the Round 12 match against Fremantle at the Gabba after the Lions’ bye.
Originally published as Brisbane midfielder Tom Rockliff will decide his future in the back half of the season
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