Charman move on cards
By Andrew Hamilton
Courier Mail
June 21, 2007
BRISBANE Lions ruckman Jamie Charman is yet to start talks with the club about a new contract, and he is considering a move to a Melbourne club next year.
Sources close to the club say there is growing evidence that Charman is open to a move.
One possible scenario involves Brisbane offering Charman as a trade to St Kilda for forward Nick Riewoldt.
Riewoldt is yet to agree to terms with the Saints, and there remains a lot of talk that Brisbane is having a crack at luring him home for next year.
The Lions have struggled in attack and they are looking at ways to take the heat off co-captain Jonathan Brown.
Brisbane is believed to be interested in retaining Charman at a reasonable price, but it is also prepared to trade the premiership ruckman if he wants to leave.
Lions Chief executive Michael Bowers said the club was interested in talking to Charman about a new deal.
"Jamie is a good player and plays an important role," Bowers said.
"He is also a terrific guy and a good strong personality in the group."
But the Lions are determined to avoid another Shane O'Bree or Mal Michael situation - in which they lost a quality player and got nothing in return.
Charman, linked to Richmond earlier in the season, is yet to speak publicly about his intentions for next year. Calls to him last night were not returned.
The 25 year old's partner lives in Melbourne.
The Lions chose Charman as a zone selection in the 2000 draft, the year the boundaries on zone selections were altered, costing the club the chance to draft Riewoldt.
The Lions' ruck stocks are the envy of the league, yet coach Leigh Matthews regularly calls on Charman to do the job alone.
Two-time premiership tap ruckman Beau McDonald was used sparingly during his time in the side and Charman rucked solo from round 8 to round 11 before Cameron Wood was recalled last week.
Waiting in the wings is top draft pick Matthew Leuenberger who has been playing as a key forward in the reserves as he works his way back to full fitness after osteitis pubis.
Brisbane would struggle to keep all four ruckmen on its list while so many interstate clubs need ruckmen.
St Kilda, Richmond and Carlton all need a quality ruckman, and all will be loaded with high draft picks at the end of the season unless there is a drastic form reversal.
Richmond is yet to win a game this season, and it has battled in the midfield in the absence of Troy Simmonds and Trent Knobel, who have been injured.
Carlton lost Cameron Cloke to a shoulder injury and has used Irishman Setanta O'hAilpin to back up Cain Ackland. Neither is a front-line big man.
The Saints are also desperate for a mobile ruckman.
The pre-season signing of West Coast's Michael Gardiner has not paid dividends, with the former No.1 draft pick yet to play a game.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,,21939952-23211,00.html