Past Tom Rockliff (2008-2017)

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Sore Rockliff won't be rested, says Fagan
TOM ROCKLIFF is playing sore, but Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has given no thought of resting his vice-captain in the final month of the season. Rockliff dislocated his shoulder against Hawthorn in round eight, and after missing two matches, has struggled to meet his lofty early-season heights upon return.

Fagan has mixed Rockliff's roles, including a match-winning tagging job on Carlton's Bryce Gibbs two weeks ago. But the dual best and fairest winner looks limited.

"I think a lot of players have got a little bit of pain at this time of year, we've been playing for five months," Fagan said. "Tom obviously hurt his shoulder in the game in Tassie against Hawthorn, made a recovery from that, but it's still lurking around. "Tom would be the first to come and put his hand up if he thought he wasn't right to go. "If he wasn't right to be playing, we wouldn't be playing him. "No excuses there."

Rockliff averaged 30 disposals and a league-best 10 clearances in his first eight matches. Since returning from injury, those numbers have slid to 20 disposals and four clearances. Along with red-hot Dayne Zorko and skipper Dayne Beams, Rockliff's bigger body has still been valuable in helping to protect a young Lions midfield.
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Sell, buy, re-sign, retire: What your club is planning this Trade Period

Adelaide - Adelaide remains keen to bolster its midfield. It has been strongly linked with Brisbane Lions free agent Tom Rockliff

Brisbane Lions - The future of restricted free agent Tom Rockliff remains clouded, with the Lions vice-captain telling AFL.com.aurecently he would put his family first when deciding his post-2017 football home. The 27-year-old midfielder has been persistently linked to Adelaide and, to a lesser extent, Port Adelaide. With Rockliff expected to attract offers of at least $600,000 and up to $700,000 a season, the Lions would likely receive an end-of-first-round compensation pick, a return they might be happy to take.

Port Adelaide - Port's efforts to retain Pittard could be complicated if it decides to pursue interest in restricted free agents Tom Rockliff
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Brisbane Lions will win either way from Tom Rockliff contract talks
BRISBANE believes it is moving closer to securing Tom Rockliff despite the lure of a top-20 draft pick if he leaves as a free agent. Rockliff has persistently been linked to Adelaide-based clubs and said recently he would make a decision on his future based on what was best for his family.

The 27-year-old has been lauded for his new-found attitude and professionalism after being given some tough love by coach Chris Fagan when he arrived late last year. If he moved on a deal over $500,000 a year, the Lions would likely secure a second-round compensation pick — pick 18 on current ladder position.

But Rockliff’s management and the club continue to talk regularly — most recently this week — and are in early discussions about what a new deal would look like. Brisbane list manager Dom Ambrogio said the Lions were encouraged by their early talks.

“We aren’t there yet but we are having productive talks,” he told the Herald Sun. The Lions are keen to go back to the draft this year and recruit elite talent rather than top up with middle-tier players as in recent seasons.
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The Benalla-raised Rockliff has battled on despite a dislocated shoulder and had at least five clearances in 12 of his 17 games this year. The Lions are in an ideal position because if he does leave it will be for a deal lucrative enough to secure another high pick.

They are likely to apply for a priority pick in coming weeks but have four victories and winnable home games against Gold Coast and North Melbourne. If they managed to win two of them they would likely play themselves out of contention but Fagan is adamant he wants to build a winning culture.

Rockliff would need to be offered a deal of around $1 million a season for Brisbane to secure a first-round compensation pick. Only a player paid in the top 5 per cent of players over 25 qualifies for a first-round compensation pick for the club they departed.
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Rockliff’s emotional interview
Lions star Tom Rockliff broke down in tears as he paid tribute to his cousin who passed last week. The 27-year-old revealed his family’s struggle to Cameron Mooney in an interview after the match.

“I lost my cousin earlier in the week,” he said. “(He was) under 27. It’s been a pretty tough week for the family. But it’s a good result to get a couple and I know he’s watching down on us so it’s been tough. But we’ll fight through it as a family.”

Rockliff helped Brisbane home to a huge victory over the Suns, booting three of the Lions’ 22 goals in the Queensland derby at the Gabba.
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Five talking points: Brisbane Lions v Gold Coast
5. An emotional Rocky
Tom Rockliff is a hard, uncompromising midfielder, who very rarely lets his guard slip on the field. While the Lions were each wearing one black armband after the death of former Fitzroy player Eric Moore, Rockliff was noticeable with two. He kicked three goals against the Suns, and after each one, kissed the armbands and looked to the sky. Rockliff was in tears in a post-match interview, after his cousin, who was the same age as the Lion, died during the week. It was a very impressive performance from the former captain in difficult circumstances, finishing with 24 disposals, seven marks and six clearances.
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Brisbane Lions star Tom Rockliff’s emotional tribute to cousin
An emotional Tom Rockliff has fought back tears while paying tribute to his cousin, after helping Brisbane to thump Gold Coast by 58 points and boost their hopes of avoiding the AFL wooden spoon.

Rockliff was a standout with 24 touches in Saturday's 22.10 (142) to 12.12 (84) Gabba win, kissing a black armband after each of his three goals. Every Lions player wore an armband to salute former Fitzroy player Eric Moore.

But Rockliff had a second in honour of his cousin and almost broke down post-match when asked about his inspiration. “I lost my cousin earlier in the week - he was only 27," a teary Rockliff told the Seven Network. "It's been a pretty tough week for the family. "To get the result and get on the end of a couple (of goals), I know he is watching up there, down on us. "It's been a tough week but we will fight through it as a family."

Rockliff combined with skipper Dayne Beams (four goals, 32 touches) and midfield livewire Lewis Taylor (25 touches, two goals) to help Brisbane seal their fifth win of the year.

Lions coach Chris Fagan praised Rockliff for his mental toughness after his inspirational display in such a tough week. "He had a great game. He is a clever forward," Fagan said. "He was quite upset about it. The fella who passed away was only quite young. "It hit home pretty hard but he held himself together and had an effective game for us."
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What incredible strength from the guy to play for us the weekend after losing a close family member. You wouldn't hold it against anyone for wanting to take some time off in this situation - yet he fronted up, and put in just as hard as ever.
 
Five talking points: Melbourne v Brisbane Lions
5. Rockliff's forward thinking
Former Lions captain Tom Rockliff has already established a reputation as being one of the best clearance players in the AFL. But those traits of being tough to beat in one-on-one contests has translated into more time up forward. Rockliff only had 16 disposals but nailed two goals and took six marks, including two contested. When he is isolated deep forward, Rockliff is a tough man to stop with his power and footy nous coming to the fore. It is a role that the out-of-contract Rockliff could play more of in the future.
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http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-08-21/rockys-road-stlll-leads-to-brisbane-fagan

BRISBANE Lions coach Chris Fagan is optimistic Tom Rockliff will re-sign, saying the restricted free agent appears "very happy" at the Gabba this season.

Rockliff entered this year with a cloud over his future after the Lions unsuccessfully put him up for trade at the end of last season.

After Fagan took over as coach late last year, Rockliff was replaced as Lions captain by Dayne Beams, while the 27-year-old midfielder has since been linked with Adelaide and, to a lesser extent, Port Adelaide.

But Fagan told SEN radio on Monday morning Rockliff's recent demeanour suggested he would recommit to the Lions.

"I haven’t asked him, but the way he's acting and talking around the footy club I don't think he's going anywhere," Fagan said.

"He seems very happy at the moment, his wife is pregnant, he's just built a new house.

"I'd be hopeful that he stays."

The Lions end their season this Saturday with a home game against North Melbourne. If they win, they will regulate the Roos to 18th and the wooden spoon, but in doing so would relinquish the pick No.1 in November's NAB AFL Draft.

Fagan echoed the sentiments of North coach Brad Scott on Sunday, saying the Lions valued a winning culture more highly than draft picks.

"We're trying to win. We're trying to build that winning culture at the club, so that's more important to us than losing and getting the first draft pick," Fagan said.

"From our perspective, it's so important that we finish off the season with a win, and we've played really strong footy for the last 10 or 12 weeks and we don't want to leave the season on a sour note."
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‘I don’t think he’s going anywhere’
BRISBANE are preparing for Tom Rockliff to remain at the AFL club next year, completing his 180-degree spin on life at the Lions. Rockliff explored trade options at the end of the 2016 season and was stripped of the captaincy by incoming coach Chris Fagan. The first-year coach believes Rockliff is happy at the fast-improving Lions and will choose to stick around into 2018.

“The way he’s acting and talking around the footy club I don’t think he’s going anywhere,” Fagan told Melbourne radio station SEN. “He seems very happy at the moment. His wife is pregnant, he’s just built a new house. “I’d be hopeful that he stays.”
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Just hoping this isn't Ricky's last game for the club tomorrow. I don't begrudge him leaving for success nor for money as he has given our club so much.
Just impressed with the manner he has turned his reputation around this year and seems to have really responded to the coaching set up Fagan has put in place.
Well played Rocky whichever way it goes
 
How finals impacted Rocky’s future
PORT Adelaide will have to up the ante in their flirtation with Tom Rockliff. The biggest free-agent in the game has still not accepted Brisbane’s offer and the Lions are starting to resign themselves to losing their former captain. They will not enter a bidding war so the ball is definitely in Rockliff’s court. Port have been the 2014 All Australian’s major suitor. However, Carlton have entered the game in recent days.
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Article by Hammo.
 
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