Gold Coast's Connor Budarick is reportedly receiving enormous interest from around the competition as he weighs up his future beyond 2025.
Budarick has reaffirmed his commitment to the Suns for next year, despite an offer being tabled to him by the club.
As a result, cross-town rivals Brisbane have flagged their interest in luring him north of Gold Coast, but are jostling with Victorian clubs, according to AFL Media's Riley Beveridge.
"The race for Connor Budarick is really heating up around the competition," Beveridge said.
"He remains unsigned at Gold Coast. They've got a deal on the table for him to sign to stay there.
"But Brisbane is among the clubs now chasing Connor Budarick. The Western Bulldogs have also had interest right the way through. North Melbourne and Essendon had interest last year.
"I think deals for Connor Budarick to leave the Gold Coast could reach three, four or five years."
Budarick has played 53 games for the Suns, including 17 in 2025 as the club is set to embark on its maiden finals campaign.
Despite being drafted as a lockdown small defender, the 24-year-old has found himself in multiple roles under Damien Hardwick due to the acquisition of Daniel Rioli and John Noble down back.
The Lions' interest comes as Brandon Starcevich considers his future in 2026, with Essendon and West Coast understood to be interested in him.
