Tweet
PLAYER manager Ricky Olarenshaw has denied he is attempting to orchestrate an end-of-season trade away from the Western Bulldogs for star client Brian Lake.
Lake, 29, underwent hip, shoulder and knee surgeries during the off-season and struggled for form and fitness before being sent back to the VFL after round six this season.
He returned to the team for the round 10 clash against Hawthorn and last weekend's match against Geelong, but remained hesitant in his attack on the ball in both games and managed just 11 possessions against the Hawks and nine against the Cats.
The continuing poor form of the best and fairest winner and two-time All Australian has led to conjecture he is looking to continue his 177-game career elsewhere at the end of the season.
Olarenshaw admitted he had fielded calls from clubs about Lake's future recently, but denied that equated to the initial stages of a trade out of Whitten Oval.
"[Brian] has got a contract in place and he wants to be at the Bulldogs, but clubs have got to find out what his feelings and thoughts are, not unlike any other player who might be struggling at the moment," Olarenshaw told afl.com.au's Footy Feast on Tuesday.
"With Brian, we've had calls from clubs [enquiring] why he's out of form, [but] those conversations happen all the time - it doesn't mean we're hawking him around.
"Brian has never said that he wants out of the Bulldogs.
Rest of the article here: Lake not leaving: Olarenshaw
Comment