A Brownlow-winning veteran may play on, NRL beckonsfor code-switcher, and Vince looking south
Black may be back
The Brisbane Lions have reportedly left the decision on the playing future of Simon Blacksolely up to the veteran himself.
Skipper Jonathan Brown hasalready agreed to play on next season under new coach, premiership teammate Justin Leppitsch.
Black, who will turn 35 on April 3, played only eightgames this year, including just one of the last nine rounds.
If the 322-gamer plays on, it will provide the Lionswith a much-needed boost, given five young players – Billy Longer, Elliot Yeo,Jared Polec, Dam Docherty and Patrick Karnezis – want to be traded.
Only ruckman Longer is a chance to stay with the clubafter being offered a new two-year contract.
Docherty is favoured to join Carlton, Karnezisappears bound for Collingwood, Polec will be traded to Adelaide or PortAdelaide, and Yeo will play for West Coast or Fremantle.
NRL bid for Hunt
GoldCoast code-hopper Karmichael Hunt is expected to receive a lucrative offer toreturn to the NRL, according to TheSunday Mail.
The Suns are expected to fighthard to retain Hunt.
"Everyone knows the type ofplayer Karmichael was (at the Broncos), but he is still young enough to comeback and be a success again in rugby league," Hodges told The Sunday Mail.
"He's been to rugby and AFL,he's had a good crack at those sports and he's an outstanding athlete. But Ithink home for him has always been rugby league and it would be great for theBroncos if he came back.
"There are rumoursaround he could come back and I hope the Broncos show interest because he madehis name at our club."
Vince is Victoria-bound
ContractedAdelaide midfielder Bernie Vince is being courted by three Victorian clubs,according to The Advertiser.
The Crows' 2009 club champion isseeking a two-year contract extension from Adelaide to secure his future to theend of 2016, but his manager Justin Reid said on the weekend "that's notgoing to be the case".
The Advertiser reports thatthe Demons could offer Vince a lucrative four-year deal to the end of 2017.
Vince might appeal as a trade optionfor the Crows, who are keen to improve their draft position after beingpunished last year over negotiations with Kurt Tippett. Vince could also walkfor nothing next year as a free agent.
The Advertiser believes Melbournecould offer pick 20 for Vince, while Essendon could do a straight swap with keyforward Scott Gumbleton and North Melbourne would likely need to offer morethan its pick 26.
Gumbleton wants to be a Docker
FairfaxMedia reports that Essendon forward Scott Gumbleton has expressed a desire to play for Fremantle next year, asthe West Australian weighs up offers to gain more senior opportunities.
The Dockers are still assessingwhether the injury-prone 25-year-old would be worth the risk. Adelaide and PortAdelaide are also believed to have signalled their interest.
Essendon wants asecond-round draft pick in return for Gumbleton, who played just seven gamesthis year despite being relatively injury-free.
Polec could decide this week
Brisbane Lions youngster Jared Polec could this week nominate the SouthAustralian club of his choice, TheAdvertiser reports.
The Lions want aplayer in return but the newspaper reports that neither Adelaide or PortAdelaide has found a player agreeable to a move.
Polec's managerJustin Reid says his 20-year-old client is "very open-minded" and "he'llbe happy at either side", but if talks don't progress by mid-week Polecwould choose one club for the Lions to deal with.
