It's understood the Lions are pursuing Astbury, 24, who has been starved of opportunities in a stable Tigers backline, with Alex Rance and Troy Chaplin holding a strong grip on the key defensive posts.

Astbury has one season remaining on his contract at Richmond, but is believed to be open to a move elsewhere, having played just 41 games in six seasons at Punt Road, during which he has been plagued by a variety of injuries - including a foot issue sustained in a stingray attack early this year, and a season-ending knee ailment in 2014. He has played just four AFL games since mid-2014, and spent the back half of 2015 in the VFL.

The Lions' tall defensive stocks are slim, with Matt Maguire retiring midway through this year following ongoing issues with concussion, Joel Patfull departing for Greater Western Sydney at the conclusion of 2014, and Daniel Merrett getting towards the end of his career. First-year tall Harris Andrews impressed in 2015, but the Lions are believed to be keen to recruit a player in the mid-career bracket. The Lions have indicated that they have salary cap space to acquire players this offseason, and having missed out on Charlie Dixon and recently dropped off Matt Suckling, are looking at other options.

The Lions are also the favourites to secure Carlton's Tom Bell - who has expressed a desire to return to Queensland. They have also been linked to out-of-contract Collingwood defender Paul Seedsman.

Lions coach Justin Leppitsch worked closely with Astbury during his time as backline coach at Richmond, while assistant Danny Daly also spent time at the Tigers.

Richmond have been in the market for a host of players, most notably Chris Yarran, Adam Treloar and Harley Bennell, and as such may need to discard contracted players in order to land their targets.

Yarran has declared his intent on securing a trade to the Tigers, having informed Carlton of his decision last week.