The Brisbane Lions say they are “not overly confident” of keeping hold of star youngster James Aish beyond 2015.
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Aish was selected a pick no.7 at the 2013 AFL Draft and has been thoroughly impressive in the early stages of his career, averaging 17 possessions a game in his debut season.
The South Australian played in all but one of Brisbane’s matches last season and finished fourth in the AFL Rising Star award.
Lions chief executive Greg Swann told Triple M radio that despite the fact there was “no reason” for Aish not the re-sign, the club was not confident of keeping hold of the 19-year-old next season.
“There’s no real reason for him not to sign I don’t think. He likes being in Brisbane, he likes the boys, he has been drafted with a group of players that have all committed,” Swann is quoted as saying by AFL.com.au.
“So you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work it out. We’re not overly confident at this stage.
“He hasn’t told Liam (Pickering, manager) he wants to leave, but our view is if he doesn’t want to leave then re-sign and let’s get on with it.
“That’s something we’re trying to resolve and we’ll hopefully get to that … in the next month or so.”
According to AFL.com.au, Aish has interest from Collingwood, Carlton, Melbourne and Adelaide and it now seems there is very little chance the prodigious talent will remain in Queensland.
The Lions have endured a poor start to 2015, losing all three of its matches so far.
It doesn’t get any easier for Justin Leppitsch’s side as they take on West Coast at the Gabba on Sunday.
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