General Manager of List Development and Strategy David Noble says the Crows are working ‘closely’ with the Brisbane in a bid to manufacture a deal for uncontracted Lion Jared Polec.

Polec, 20, has requested a trade home to South Australia. Adelaide and Port Adelaide are both vying to secure the skilful onballer’s services.

Noble said he remained hopeful a deal could be reached to see Polec become a Crow.

“It (the negotiation) is ebbing and flowing. We’re still hopeful and still in there punching. You’d like to think we might be able to create something to get the deal done,” Noble told Trade Radio.

“We don’t have the picks that we would like to manoeuvre our way through there. Are we able to create that opportunity for ourselves? We’re still just working with Brisbane as closely as we can.

“It’s a two-horse race (with Port Adelaide) and we’d love to get Jared back home. He adds that extra element for us – that outside run and speed and carry. He can play anywhere from half-forward/wing to that seventh defender role and half-back.”

Tall utility Shaun McKernan has been mentioned as a possible trade option.

McKernan, 23, is open to a move back to his native Victoria but Noble said the Crows were keen to keep the emerging big man on their list.

“We respect the fact Shaun is exploring those opportunities and we know he wants to be a bit closer to family in Melbourne, so we’ll work with his management in that regard,” he said.

“We would like to keep Shaun … with the injuries we copped this year; he is an important ingredient in that ruck/forward role.

“We’re happy for him to explore the market, but we haven’t heard anything yet as to where that lands. It’s a bit quiet at the moment.”