GEELONG fears it will be blown out of the water by a monster three-year Western Bulldogs deal for Tom Lonergan.

media_camera Tom Lonergan has been offered a three-year deal to join the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Mike Dugdale

The Herald Sun understands the Dogs have offered Lonergan a three-year deal worth $500,000 a season to become their star full back.

CHRISTENSEN SEEKS TRADE TO QUEENSLAND

The Cats have this week offered to add another season to Lonergan’s current deal, which expires at the end of 2015.

But they fear he can hardly pass up the massive money on offer at the Western Bulldogs.

Lonergan turns 31 in May and is torn between remaining loyal to the Cats and taking a once-in-a-lifetime deal.

He signed a contract extension with Geelong the summer before he came out as a free agent, underlining his love of the Cats.

But the key defender, off contract with the Cats at the end of next year, is seriously contemplating an offer he believes is almost too good to refuse.

He is seriously considering leaving despite only weeks ago pledging with his teammates to rebound from the club’s finals exit against North Melbourne.

The extra season the Cats have offered on his deal would lock him away until 2016 and they hope that might make his decision harder.

Yet they would understand if he decided to move up the highway given they cannot match the financial component of that offer.

The Dogs and Geelong would then need to orchestrate a trade for Lonergan given he remains in contract.

media_camera Tom Lonergan was a member of Geelong’s 2011 premiership.

It is another blow for Geelong, who will lose Allen Christensen to a Queensland club after already deciding to trade Travis Varcoe.

The Dogs are well aware they need to land a big fish after talking tough in recent weeks, although Lonergan’s age means he is unlikely to win a flag at the Dogs.

The choice is simple: give up your chance of a second flag after winning in 2011 for a deal that sets you up for life.

The Bulldogs had also inquired into the availability of Brisbane full back Daniel Merrett, but Lonergan seems their man.

Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney has a coaching staff full of players from his old club Geelong, with Joel Corey, Cameron Mooney, Matthew Scarlett and Ben Graham among the ex-Cats at Whitten Oval.

Lonergan has turned himself from an inconsistent forward into one of the most reliable defenders in the game.

He was nominated in the All Australian squad in 2012 and was close to being named in the 22-man side this year.

He famously recovered from an on-field collision that saw him lose his kidney, losing 17kg and spending four days in a coma.

He bounced back to play a critical role in the 2011 premiership and is one of Geelong’s most consistent finals performers.