BRISBANE Lions midfielder Simon Black will meet with new coach Justin Leppitsch in the coming days to decide on his playing future.

The triple premiership player is weighing up whether to play on or make the move into coaching.

Lions list manager Rob Kerr has told SEN Radio a decision needed to be made.

"Simon Black's yet to make a decision on whether he plays or goes into coaching next year. I think it's been a pretty tough one for him," Kerr said on Wednesday.

"He had a knee operation about six weeks ago, so I think he's sort of been contemplating how has that gone, does he feel he will be able to go again, or would he be better off moving into the next phase of his career.

"My understanding is that he and Justin Leppitsch will have a chat this week, and hopefully things will firm up from there."

The Lions have almost reached a deal that will see Sam Docherty join Carlton during the Gillette AFL Trade Period.

"Carlton's leading the charge there," Kerr said.

"They've put an offer on the table and have been pretty strong in their interest with Sam. They're certainly sitting in front there. We're probably at the point where we've just about got an agreement.

"I'd like to see how the other trades fall out and what that might mean in terms of picks and shuffling of picks before we make a firm commitment."

Jared Polec is also in demand, with both Adelaide and Port Adelaide scrambling to get a deal done with the Lions.

"It's fair to say both clubs are working pretty hard to try and get a better draft pick than what's currently on the table," Kerr said.

"Adelaide have got players but not draft picks at this point, and they're talking to other clubs about trying to get another pick that might satisfy.

"There's good competition between the two clubs."

Billy Longer may yet stay at the Lions, after Hawthorn opted to recruit St Kilda ruckman Ben McEvoy last week.

"We continue to have conversations with him and his manager to convince him that Brisbane's the place where his football future lies," Kerr said.

"No doubt some other clubs will more than likely express interest in him given the Hawthorn move fell over, but we're doing our best to try and keep him in Brisbane colours.

"I think he's really getting his mind around what's happened, because as far as he was concerned he was going to Hawthorn."

Patrick Karnezis wants to return to Victoria, but Kerr admits that move isn't definite.

"Collingwood's the club that's shown that interest there, but if I'm to be honest, I'd say it hasn't been strong interest."

Brent Staker appears set to stay, with the Lions offering the utility a new contract.

"Brent's got a deal in front of him that covers the next two years and I would have thought satisfies all the criteria he was seeking to have satisfied, so I would have thought it would make sense for him to continue at the Lions," Kerr said.