Fremantle chief executive Steve Rosich has confirmed that Carlton had sought permission from him to hold preliminary discussions with Freo assistant Simon Lloyd about the Blues coaching job.
Rosich said on Tuesday that Carlton CEO Steven Trigg had spoken to him about approaching Lloyd and a preliminary discussion had already taken place with Lloyd.
"I did receive a call from Steven Trigg seeking my counsel on Simon, and also they sought the opportunity to have a chat to him and that first base chat has taken place," Rosich said.
"Now they'll consider whether Simon is one of the guys that goes to the second phase.
"I think that's common courtesy within the industry. Steven and I have both been in the industry for a very long time and I'd do the same thing with Steven."
Rosich said he was not surprised the Blues were interested in Freo's assistant/senior development coach.
Freo coach Ross Lyon had also met with Ken Sheldon, a member of Carlton's coaching selection panel.
Lyon told radio station 3AW on Monday night that he would love to see Lloyd get an opportunity.
"Nothing would make me happier than for Simon to get a senior job," Lyon said.
"Simon's a really authentic person, and really knowledgeable and would love an opportunity."?
Both Lyon and Rosich said they would have no issue with Lloyd continuing to work at Fremantle if he got offered the Carlton job before the end of the season.
"If Simon said, 'I've got the job, I'm committed (and) I'll work through', you could trust Simon with that," Lyon said.
"That wouldn't worry me at all.
"The club position is he's contracted. We're supportive but we wouldn't want it to get in the way of our campaign, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Rosich echoed Lyon's thoughts.
"Simon has been with us for a long time," Rosich said.
"He's a smart, ethical man. If it happens to work out that way we'll sit down and work it out from there. There's nothing we need to pre-determine at this stage."
Rosich also confirmed that the club had remained in contact with veteran midfielder Ryan Crowley during his suspension for a drug code violation.
Crowley is able to return to train at the club next week to prepare to be available to play when his suspension ends on September 25. But Rosich said no decision has been made on his future.
"We're regularly touching base with Ryan," Rosich said.
"There's only certain aspects we can do whilst he's on his suspension. But no doubt he's looking forward to getting back to the football club and looking to prepare physically for the season or seasons ahead and we're looking forward to having him back at the club.
"We've left (his future) open-ended. All we've said to Ryan is go away, keep fit and healthy and come back to the footy club in July, and that's now imminent and we're looking forward to him getting back."
Rosich was speaking at the launch of the City of Cockburn’s new $109 regional physical activity and education centre which will also house Fremantle's new elite training and administration facility at Cockburn Central West.
Rosich said the world-class facility would assist Fremantle in their ability to recruit and retain talent.
"Retention and attraction of staff and players will become the next frontier, and this will assist us in that regard," Rosich said.
One major feature of the facility is the oval will be adjustable to replicate any sized ground in the AFL for training purposes.
