The Brisbane Lions have opened the door for key position player Daniel Merrett to leave the club as the contracted veteran explores trade options.
Less than a month after saying the 29-year-old was a required player, the Lions are now willing to consider a trade in the upcoming NAB AFL Trade Period.
Lions' talent acquisition and retention manager Peter Schwab said the club would wait to see what options arose before making a call on Merrett's future.
"A lot of interest came for Daniel and I think that sparked him a little bit," Schwab told SEN radio on Tuesday.
"He has been a great player for Brisbane and by his own admission he has been a little bit flat in his football the last 12 months.
"I know he is exploring some options so we'll just wait and see what Daniel comes up with, if he wants to be traded or not, and then we'll consider it depending on what offers we get."
Earlier this month the Lions poured cold water on rumours Merrett was seeking a trade after 10 seasons at the club.
"He's contracted for another couple of years (and) as far as I'm concerned, Daniel's a required player," football manager Dean Warren told AFL.com.au.
Merrett played 19 games in 2014, starting at full-back before he was switched to full-forward mid-season.
Merrett, who has played 171 games since his debut in 2005, has made no secret of the fact he prefers to play in the back half.
He is contracted until the end of 2016.
