ADELAIDE chief executive Steven Trigg and Carlton boss Greg Swann stand as new AFL chief Gillon McLachlan’s leading preferences as an off-field saviour for Brisbane.

And after delivering on all the key needs at the Adelaide Football Club, Trigg’s exit to the Lions - to replace chief executive Malcolm Holmes - is increasingly likely.

Trigg at the start of the season refused to be interviewed by St Kilda for its chief executive vacancy declaring he still had unfinished business at Adelaide. This specifically referred to the Crows’ entry to a new home at Adelaide Oval and the difficult negotiations to secure independence from the SANFL.

But with these major assignments now off his desk at West Lakes and the prospect of being chosen by the AFL to refloat the ailing Lions has Trigg no longer dismissing a move to a new job in the AFL club system.

“My focus remains in Adelaide,” Trigg said last night in his only response to being a frontrunner for the Brisbane vacancy.

Adelaide chairman Rob Chapman last night declined to “deal with hypotheticals”.

But he did acknowledge Trigg’s record - regardless of the Kurt Tippett saga - is valued at AFL House.

“As it was by our board at the time of the Kurt Tippett issue because Steven was the best man to deal with three major tasks we had for our chief executive,” Chapman said.

“First, Steven was the best person to negotiate our position at Adelaide Oval. That is done.

“Second, we wanted our State league team. That is done.

“Third, we wanted independence. That is done.

“Steven has ticked all the boxes.”

Adelaide’s reputation for developing leaders from within has current chief operating officer Nigel Smart and list manager David Noble capable of emerging as Trigg’s successor.

Trigg’s tenure at West Lakes has been targeted by former Crows player Andrew Jarman who has called for his sacking.

This is timed with the expectation of a challenge to the Crows board with a ticket led by a high-profile former player, often said to be Brownlow Medallist and former captain Mark Ricciuto.

But Chapman says the new independent format to the Crows board spares the Adelaide Football Club from being hijacked by an outside ticket - and change is already underway with a succession plan.

Adelaide’s board - that is now free of SANFL control - will have eight directors. The succession plan has long-serving board members primed to move off the board this year and next - and be replaced by candidates chosen by a new Adelaide nominations committee.

Originally published as Trigg on radar for Brisbane Lions’ top job