CAROLINE Springs Football Club has launched an audacious bid to secure dual-premiership Hawthorn defender Brian Lake for 2016 and beyond.
Lake, who is out of contract at the end of 2015, indicated his desire to continue playing with the Hawks next year in a press conference earlier today.
But he made it perfectly clear if not re-signed by the Hawks, he was eyeing off a move to the Western Region Football League.
"I keep going up and pestering the coaches and the CEO that I reckon I've got another year in me, especially with James (Frawley) falling down a couple of times and I know (about that) myself," Lake said.
"I guess the challenge when you're 33 years old, it's about the mind - if you can keep rocking up every day.
"I'm enjoying every moment I've been at the club and playing. I'd obviously love to be playing for Hawthorn again next year, but if not I'll be down at Caroline Springs."
hawthorn.com.au can exclusively reveal that the club with the ‘Lakers’ moniker, which plays in the WRFL’s second division, has already made an official approach to Lake’s management.
“We’ve definitely had discussions with Brian and his manager,” a Caroline Springs official, who wishes to remain un-named, told hawthornfc.com.au today.
“He’s indicated to us that he would be interested in playing with the Lakers next season and beyond.
“Brian obviously lives close to our home ground and has an existing connection to our club, and we feel he would be a perfect fit for our playing group.”
The Lakers currently sit in fifth spot on the ladder and believe Lake could play a key role up forward.
The superstar Hawk said the temptation to play up forward had him interested in the WRFL club’s offer, as his current coach Alastair Clarkson continues to deny him opportunities nearer to goal in favour of Paul Puopolo.
The Caroline Springs official said the club had considered a Lance Franklin-sized offer to woo Lake, who often complains about the daily travel from his Caroline Springs residence to Waverley Park.
“It would definitely be a highly lucrative, multi-year deal that we would offer Brian,” he said.
“We would also consider throwing in a golf buggy to help him get from his house to training and home matches.”
*Lake and Clarkson were unavailable for further comment.
