THE Brisbane Lions have employed Jimmy Bartel to their list management department.

The Geelong champion, who will continue to have a prominent role across several media platforms, will be predominantly based in Melbourne in a part-time consultancy role.

A source close to the club said Bartel’s role is small but could grow if he elects to pursue a career in coaching, list management or recruiting.

Neither the Lions or Bartel wished to comment when contacted by foxfooty.com.au, but it’s understood the 34-year-old is keeping his career options open.

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He will report to chief list manager Dom Ambrogio.

Brisbane football boss David Noble, who oversees the entire footy department, is playing a key mentoring role for Bartel, who has been a much sought-after figure in the industry since retiring at the end of 2016.

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Bartel made headlines last October when he revealed he was open to making an AFL comeback barely a year since he hung up the boots.

As he embarked on a media career, the Brownlow Medallist kept fit and even trained at St Kevin’s Old Boys in the Victorian Amateur Football Association.

There were rumours he would pull on the boots again but it never eventuated.

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In August he stood down from Match Review Panel, conceding he felt “a little bit uncomfortable” with some of the penalties he helped hand down.

Now Bartel splits his time between RSN 927 morning radio, the new Macquarie sports station on 1278, 3AW 693 and Channel 7 boundary riding duties.

Brisbane is expected to continue to add key personnel to its football department following the arrival of Ambrogio early last year after a long stint at the Gold Coast Suns.