Joel Patfull's manager Shane Casley has poured cold water on the prospect of the Brisbane key defender heading to Sydney next year.
News Limited reported that the two-time best-and-fairest winner wanted out of the Gabba and had his heart set on a move to the Harbour City.
Casley confirmed Patfull desired relocating to Sydney eventually, but told radio station SEN that a lot of things had to fall into place for that to occur as early as next month.
"That's speculation at this stage, Joel is contracted to the Brisbane Lions for next year and we've certainly spoken to them about extending his contract," Casley said.
"He's certainly indicated to me and the club that at the end of his footy career he'd like to live in Sydney.
"If there was an opportunity to get to a Sydney club next year we'd look at it but again it would have to be with the total consent of the Brisbane Lions.
"At the end of the day, Brisbane control that process because he's contracted."
While Brisbane CEO Greg Swann said the club would be loath to lose an experienced campaigner like Patfull from its playing list, he wouldn't rule out trading him if the right offer came up.
"He's certainly our premium defender, every week he gets the best opposition forward," Swann told AFL Trade Radio.
"We don't have 100 Joel Patfulls floating around this place.
"I think we're the third or fourth youngest team so that maturity would be a loss for us but if you got a young guy who might be the next Joel Patfull and can play for 10 years then you might look at that."
Since being selected at pick No.56 in the 2005 draft, Patfull has been one of the Lions' most consistent and reliable performers having played 182 games in nine seasons.
