Brisbane Lions remain optimistic they can lure Crows speedster Charlie Cameron to the club

BRISBANE remains optimistic it can lure Crows speedster Charlie Cameron to the Gabba this off-season but the club is prepared to give him some space over the next week.

Charlie Cameron is likely to request a trade. Picture: Michael Klein

BRISBANE is optimistic it can lure Crows speedster Charlie Cameron to the Gabba.

The 23-year-old is expected to declare his intentions for 2018 next week and the Lions’ understanding is he will ask the Crows to be traded to Brisbane to be nearer to family.

The Lions will also start tracking the progress of Cameron’s younger brother Jarrod, 17, who showed great promise as an underage player for Western Australia in the national under 18s carnival and has been tipped by coach Peter Sumich to be a high draft pick next year.

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Cameron, who has a year to run on his contract, was one of Adelaide’s better players in Saturday’s shock grand final smashing by Richmond.

The Lions have kept their distance while Cameron prepared for the biggest game of his life.

And they are prepared to cool their heels for another week to allow the emotion of the grand final defeat to subside.

Charlie Cameron is likely to request a trade. Picture: AAP Images

There was a hostile reaction to comments coach Chris Fagan made during the season about his interest in Cameron.

There is a feeling within the Lions that the result may make it harder to convince the Crows to let Cameron go but believe if he is adamant he wants to be near family a deal can be struck. He was born in Mount Isa.

Cameron was non-committal about his plans when interviewed on the eve of the grand final but did say his bond with Eddie Betts made his decision difficult.

“He has been amazing to me and has really helped my transition to AFL footy,’’ he said.

“It would be weird if I left, but I haven’t really thought about that.’’

The Crows have locked away Mitch McGovern, who was the subject of speculation he wished to return home to Western Australia but remain in a battle to re-sign Jake Lever who looks likely to join Melbourne.

Crows coach Don Pyke gave a gruff response when asked about Cameron and Lever in the immediate aftermath of the grand final.

With the AFL season over the attention now switches to the trade period and the upcoming draft.

Gold Coast Suns academy player Brayden Crossley is the standout Queenslander.

The ruckman was a part of the All Stars game at the MCG that was the curtain raiser to the Grand Final.

Charlie Cameron has a special bond with Eddie Betts. Picture: AAP Images

Triple premiership-winning Lion Luke Power, who heads the AFL’s national academy, said the 18-year-old had made great strides the past 12 months.

“He’s had a great year, he got himself fit and his follow up to his ruck work is really good,’’ he said.

“Compared to a lot of other tall guys he is very aggressive, and now he is going forward and hitting the scoreboard. He loves to compete.’’

Originally published as Brisbane Lions remain optimistic they can lure Crows speedster Charlie Cameron to the club