Fevola set to roar for Lions in trade

Carlton and Brisbane are on the verge of a blockbuster AFL trade that would create
the fearsome key forward combination of Jonathan Brown and Brendan Fevola.
The Lions would send Brown's current goalkicking sidekick Daniel Bradshaw to the
Blues along with midfielder Michael Rischitelli in return for Fevola.
The trade could become official on Thursday, with club officials privately confident
there will be no last-minute complications.
Bradshaw and Rischitelli must agree to the deal, but they are originally from Victoria.
It would be easily the biggest deal of this year's trade week, which ends on Friday
afternoon.
Fevola won the Coleman Medal this season for the second time as the league's top
goalkicker, while Brown was second.
Including finals, Fevola kicked 89 goals this season and Brown put through 85.
Bradshaw was also prolific again with 58 goals.
Fevola is a three-time All-Australian and Brown has been named twice.
The pair were named in this year's honorary team.
Fevola, 28, has booted 575 goals in 187 matches with the Blues.
While no one doubts Fevola's footballing ability, Carlton finally lost patience with
him after his latest off-season controversy.
The Blues fined Fevola $10,000 and put him up for trade after his drunken
misbehaviour last month during and after the Brownlow Medal count.
Fevola is on holiday with his family in south-east Queensland.
Wednesday's stunning news about the likely trade came after little obvious action
regarding Fevola in the first two days of trade week.
That prompted speculation Fevola might stay at Carlton.
Brisbane would obviously beef up their attack with the trade, but there are also
major benefits for Carlton.
Bradshaw is a strong forward in his own right and his presence would mean Carlton do
not have to totally recast their forward line.
Bradshaw, 30, has kicked 496 goals in 222 matches with the Lions and was part of two
Brisbane premiership sides.
Rischitelli, 23, has played 89 games for the Lions and would add further depth to
their midfield.
Already this week, the Blues have signed Brock McLean from Melbourne to give more
support to captain Chris Judd.
Brisbane stormed home in the last term to beat Carlton last month by seven points in
their elimination final, ending the Blues' season.
Judd was caught on camera at one stage with his fingers on Rischitelli's face as the
Brisbane player was lying on the ground.
The Blues captain jokingly tried to explain away the incident, saying he was
searching for a pressure point, but the remark fell horribly flat.
Judd received a three-game suspension, which stood despite Carlton's appeal.
Some Carlton fans are upset that Fevola might leave the club, but the Blues have had
enough.
Coach Brett Ratten made his sentiments clear last week at their best and fairest
awards, which Fevola was given permission not to attend.
"Just a warning for the players - we've had some misdemeanours," Ratten said in his
speech at the function.
"If you don't want to do it the Carlton way, you don't have to, you won't be a part
of Carlton."