Christensen seeks trade to Suns or Lions

Geelong's Allen Christensen has become the latest player to request a trade to a Queensland club, with both Brisbane and Gold Coast expressing interest in the 2011 premiership player.

Allen Christensen could leave Geelong for one of the two Brisbane clubs. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

GEELONG wants a first-round draft pick in exchange for the shock departure of star midfielder Allen Christensen.

The 23-year-old dropped the biggest bombshell of this year's trade period requesting a trade to a Queensland club for personal reasons.

The Herald Sun understands the 2011 premiership player has experienced some relationship problems that has prompted his desire to move interstate.

In an added worry, Western Bulldogs have also made a lucrative offer to premiership Geelong key defender Tom Lonergan.

Sources said the deal was worth as much as $1.2 million over three years.

Lonergan, 30, is contracted at Geelong next season but has close ties with Dogs' coach and former Cats' assistant Brendan McCartney.

Geelong officials have been aware of the issues facing Christensen but have not ruled out trying to keep him at the club next season.

Speedster Travis Varcoe was also exploring a possible move to Collingwood, North Melbourne or West Coast, but may be retained at Geelong to help offset the loss of Christensen.

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Alternatively, the loss of the duo could create salary cap space for the Cats to chase contracted Adelaide superstar Patrick Dangerfield.

But the Crows are adamant they will keep him until at least the end of his contract next season.

Gold Coast, which had picks No. 8 and No. 15, is in the box seat to land Christensen.

Christensen has been troubled by a back injury in recent years. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

However, Brisbane, which has picks No. 5 and No. 25 and up-for-grabs key defender Daniel Merrett, has also expressed interest in the Cat.

Both clubs have held preliminary talks with Christensen's manager, Tim Hazell, about a move north.

Hazell said Christensen "feels that at 23 he wants a fresh start to his football elsewhere".

"We will work through this process with the club in the hope of securing an outcome satisfactory to both parties," Hazell said.

Geelong has made clear to rivals it would only entertain offers including a first-round draft selection, or quality senior player.

Gold Coast's pick No. 15 was considered the most likely option for a straight swap yesterday. That pick was originally received by Geelong in 2012 as compensation for the loss of Gary Ablett.

Julian de Stoop and Jon Ralph bring you the latest news from day two of the AFL trade period.

Geelong released a brief statement yesterday, confirming Christensen has expressed a desire to continue his career elsewhere " due to non-football reasons.

Some rivals remain wary the 65-gamer's persistent back injuries -which has twice required surgery, delaying his start to this season — could restrict his career.

Brisbane chief executive Gregg Swann told the Herald Sun the club could accommodate Christensen and Collingwood's Dayne Beams in its salary cap.

"It's very early days. (But) if he wanted to come this way we'd be very, very interested in him," Swann told AFL Trade Radio.

"We've got a little bit of work to do. But on the surface, he's a seriously good player and we'd love to have him if everything works out."

Christensen is one of Geelong's important players. He ranked third at the club for average contested possessions (10 a game) and clearances (4) in his eight games this season.

Originally published as Christensen seeks trade to Suns or Lions