LIONS List Manager Peter Schwab has echoed CEO Greg Swann’s disappointment when it was confirmed this afternoon that the Club will receive a late second round compensation (Pick No.39) from the AFL for departing Restricted Free Agent Matthew Leuenberger.
“It isn’t great and not what we expected”, Schwab said.
“I know Greg Swann has spoken to the AFL... it’s not ideal for us.”
The Lions yesterday agreed to accept a first-round pick in the 2015 NAB National Draft from the West Coast Eagles in return for contracted midfielder Jack Redden.
“While it’s disappointing to lose Jack, the compensation of pick 17 is a good result for us.”
Following compensation from the Redden trade the Lions now hold picks 2, 17, and 21 inside the first two rounds of the National Draft and Schwab confirmed the Lions would use their first and second round selections to bid on the Nation’s best young talent.
“We’ll certainly use our early picks to secure players in the National Draft, plus our Academy Players, they’ll also cost us picks because people are going to bid on them so we’re just trying to work out when people might bid on them.”
Meanwhile negotiations with Geelong’s Jarrad Jansen and Carlton’s Tom Bell are on hold as a result of the Leuenberger decision.
“They’ve both been held up a little bit, we’re probably waiting to see what happens with the Leuenberger compensatory pick and also how we get other picks in.
“We’re working on that but I can’t report anything has happened yet.”
With the rumour mill of player movements in overdrive this time of year, Schwab said the Lions had not made any offer to heavily linked Carlton forward Levi Casboult.
“There’s a lot of players being thrown up this time of year, Levi’s name has come up but there’s nothing concrete on that.”
Schwab said the Club were hopeful of re-signing a number of Lions once the trade period is over.
“We’re working on a few right at the moment, that will be a priority once we get through this trade period and we’ll work towards signing some of the players up."
