Contracted Cat Darcy Fort is keeping his options open for the off-season, his manager Scott Lucas has revealed.
Fort has gained reported interest from the Lions as the Queensland Club looks to bolster its key-position stocks for next season, with forward Eric Hipwood to miss a majority of the campaign with an ACL injury.
Brisbane are believed to have Fort, Magpies tall Mason Cox and delisted Carlton forward Levi Casboult on their radar ahead of Monday's trade period.
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Fort has played just eight games for Geelong across three seasons at Kardinia Park, and did not feature at AFL level in 2021.
With first-string ruckman Rhys Stanley and emerging tall Esava Ratugolea favoured by Cats coach Chris Scott, Fort and Lucas have looked to assess the 28-year-old's options for the future.
“With Darcy we’re looking at opportunities for him," Lucas told Trade Radio.
“The reality is, he’s contracted so if Geelong say no, then they say no. But if a club is open to a discussion elsewhere, and it can work for both parties, then we’re always looking to explore for players... there’s been some interest.
“Rhys Stanley has signed an extension so we look at that pragmatically and say clearly they’re pleased with what Rhys is doing.
“Darcy didn’t play a game this year for Geelong, so therefore you do have a look around for him and try to present some options to him to get the most out of his career.
“We’ve had a look into it, still a fair bit fork to do, but we’re hopeful.”
The Cats could look to retain Fort should rivals continue to circle, with the club likely to lose versatile tall Nathan Kreuger to Collingwood.
Kreuger made just the two appearances for Geelong this year and is of interest to the Magpies.
The Cats are also yet to officially receive a trade request from speedster Jordan Clark, who is weighing up a move back to his home state of Western Australia to join Fremantle.
Fort is contracted to Geelong until the end of the 2022 season.
