BRISBANE are seething at Carlton going into Sunday’s clash at Etihad Stadium after Blues officials flew to Queensland this week for secret talks with Lions midfielder James Aish.

Carlton CEO Steve Trigg, football operations manager Andrew Mackay and list manager Stephen Silvagni were in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast on Wednesday under the official guise of speaking to sporting software expert and baseball coach Jon Deeble.

But it is understood out-of-form and out-of-favour Aish was the real target.

The Courier-Mail also understands Carlton contacted the Gold Coast Suns to assure them they were not in Queensland to pursue one of their off-contract players such as Charlie Dixon.

Brisbane received no such courtesy call.

media_camera James Aish is expected to leave Brisbane at the end of the year. Picture: Peter Wallis

It is difficult to imagine such a high-powered contingent flying interstate just to discuss computer programs.

Behind closed doors, Lions officials are furious about the clandestine recruiting raid taking place in the week the two clubs play each other.

The club declined to make any public comment on the matter but is appalled by the lack of respect shown from the Blues.

Carlton, Collingwood and Melbourne have joined the two South Australian clubs in the chase for Aish who is all but certain to leave the Gabba at the end of the season.

Taken at No.7 in the 2013 draft, Aish played 21 games in 2014 but has been horribly out of form this season, getting axed twice from the senior side.

media_camera Andrew McKay and Steven Trigg travelled to Brisbane this week. Picture: Adam Elwood

He was named in the extended 25-man squad for Sunday’s match-up with the Blues but did not survive the final cull and will play no football this weekend with the Lions reserves having a bye in the NEAFL.

To add to his unhappy year, Aish was reported for striking in the NEAFL loss to the Suns last weekend but was later found not guilty.

He and his management have consistently delayed contract extension talks with Brisbane who tabled a three-year, $1.2 million offer to the midfielder.

It is understood that Trigg – the former Adelaide CEO – is a close friend of the Aish family who have strong links to the Crows and South Australian football.

While Aish’s departure from Brisbane has always been linked to the “go home factor’’, if his preferred destination becomes a Victorian club it will only add to the Lions’ disappointment and ensure they play hardball in trade talks.

The Courier-Mail attempted to contact Aish’s manager Liam Pickering, but he did not return calls.

A Blues spokesman declined to comment.

Carlton have past form in disguising raids on Brisbane players.

In late 2013, the Blues said Lions utility Brent Staker was just visiting old friend and Blues coaching director Rob Wiley when he was spotted inspecting the Carlton training facilities at Princes Park.

Meanwhile, Rohan Bewick, Liam Dawson and Aish are the three players to drop out of the 25-man Brisbane squad named on Thursday night. Ryan Lester replaces the omitted Bewick.