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Lions roar as Horsley signals return

De-listed Gold Coast midfielder Kyal Horsley set to return to Subiaco. Picture: AFL Media.

Kyal Horsley, runner-up in the 2011 Sandover Medal, has indicated he will return to Subiaco in a boost to the club's hopes of a playing finals next year.

Horsley, 26, was de-listed by Gold Coast at the end of the AFL season after playing 14 games in two years.

The No.2 pick in the 2012 rookie draft burst out of the blocks in his debut year but played just one game this season before injuring the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Lions football manager Luke Sanders said nothing would be official until the two parties met this month but his return would be a huge win for the club, which finished eighth this year.

"He's indicated he would be keen to come back," Sanders said. "He's obviously had a knee reconstruction mid-year, so (his impact) all depends on how he recovers from that. But I would imagine by the early to middle part of the year he would be right to go again."

De-listed Port Adelaide defender Nathan Blee is a strong chance to return to East Perth after two seasons in the AFL.

Midfielder Cam Eardley, 20, is considering his options after being cut by Geelong but has indicated he will play for East Fremantle if he returns home to WA.

Claremont premiership defender David Crawford has retired, joining a long list of premiership players who will not be with the Tigers in 2014 after Paul Medhurst and Chad Jones retired and Ian Richardson, James Thomson and Mitch Andrews told the club of their plans to travel next year.

Captain Andrew Browne will retire if he needs shoulder surgery. Andrew Foster is considering his future.

Former West Coast midfielder Tom Swift is likely to play the full season after his Foxtel Cup cameo for Claremont this year.