Lions flag hero's $4m call looms as Neale edges closer to exit
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Lions superstar Lachie Neale is leaning towards the exit door at the end of the season in what looms as a blockbuster trade and free agency period in October, reports leading journalist Cal Twomey.
Neale is not the only premiership Brisbane star with a huge decision to make, with Zac Bailey another superstar who could leave the powerhouse. Essendon midfielder Zach Merrett, meanwhile, will likely attempt to push his way to Hawthorn once more.
Lachie Neale has interest from at least three clubs. via Getty Images
Starting with Neale, Twomey gave the latest on where seven key trade situations sit.
Lachie Neale (Brisbane)
Neale enters this summer as an unrestricted free agent who can sign anywhere he wants. He has been linked with a move back to Perth, following a split with his wife Jules in January.
However, Twomey believes Neale could end up in South Australia or Victoria as well.
“He’s very much looking at leaving Brisbane,” Twomey told Nine’s Footy Classified.
“Collingwood is very keen. They had their list boss Justin Leppitsch watching him at the weekend.
“WA clubs and Adelaide are still interested as well. I think he will be at a new club next year.”
Zac Bailey (Brisbane)
Bailey is also a free agent who could be out of Brisbane. As is the case with many premiership sides, quality players are squeezed out simply because the money elsewhere is too good to refuse.
In Bailey’s case, according to Twomey, Adelaide is the team with a monstrous offer on the table for him.
“Bailey’s another one who, I think, is on the way out of Brisbane at this point. No movement on his contract is expected in the short term,” Twomey said.
Brisbane forward Zac Bailey. Getty
“The gap at the moment, the Adelaide offer is seven years at $10m. The Brisbane offer is six years at about $6.5m. You can see why he is weighing this up.
“Brisbane has also said ‘this is our best offer’ and they’re not budging on it. I think if they gave him another year at $1m and a bit, that would close the gap and make him think.”
Zach Merrett (Essendon)
Merrett requested a trade to Hawthorn last year, but was held to his contract despite the Hawks’ best attempts to pry him out.
The six-time Essendon best and fairest winner relinquished the captaincy and has had a middling season to date, with Twomey of the belief he will once again attempt to push his way to Hawthorn in October.
“His eyes are firmly set on Hawthorn. That is his No.1 priority. It doesn’t matter who is coaching Essendon next year. That won’t change his view about moving to the Hawks,” Twomey said.
“There are other teams interested. I think Gold Coast has a level of interest in him, but the Hawks have kept up contact throughout the year and that’s where he wants to be.”
Twomey believes the Hawks will likely offer less this time around. Potentially one first round pick and a second round pick, as opposed to three picks inside the top 25.
Gold Coast star Bailey Humphrey in action. Getty
Bailey Humphrey (Gold Coast)
Humphrey, contracted for 2027 at Gold Coast, flirted with a return to Victoria last trade period, but that was ultimately shut down by the Suns.
Twomey, however, says the talented young forward might just push harder this time around.
“He’s got a lot of clubs interested in him. His mind has changed a lot over the last few years. He went for a walk with Melbourne officials during last year’s trade period, Carlton offered him a five-year deal on more than $1m last year,” Twomey said.
“The Hawks want him and Merrett. I don’t think they can get all of these things done, though.
“He’s going to cost at least two first round picks. Melbourne has them and Melbourne is willing to put them on the table for him. They’ve been chasing him for years.”
Ben King (Gold Coast)
Humphrey’s teammate Ben King meanwhile is also weighing up his future, despite reportedly being close to signing a two-year extension.
Twomey believes King’s partner’s desire to return to Victoria is playing a large part in current negotiations.
“(King) was all set to sign a two-year deal at the Suns, but has become a bit wobbly,” he said.
“His partner has interest in coming back to Melbourne and he’s been weighing this up throughout his whole career at different points.
“The interesting part is a month ago when he was going to stay, Hawthorn was set to offer (key forward) Mitch Lewis a four-year deal. Now they’re a bit more hesitant. So there is a real ripple effect here.
“He’s costing $1.4m wherever he is next year.”
Gold Coast key forward Jed Walter. Getty
Jed Walter (Gold Coast)
Walter is another key forward at Gold Coast weighing up his options, given he is battling for a spot next to King with Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Ethan Read also in the mix.
Walter, a product from Gold Coast’s Queensland academy, reportedly has big-money deals coming at him from all angles.
“He met with the Bombers only hours after Brad Scott was sacked a couple of weeks ago, so they’re interested,” Twomey said.
“Collingwood and Geelong are among the Victorian teams interested, but the Suns have upped their offer to five years at close to $1m, and they want to keep him. It’s a pretty good offer from the Suns, so I think it’s a chance. I still think there’s a chance King and Walter both stay.”
Zak Butters (Port Adelaide)
Butters has been the key name in free agency this year and Twomey believes it’s quickly becoming a matter of where he signs next year, with the possibility that he’ll stay at Port Adelaide looking long odds.
The Tigers reportedly offered Butters a deal worth $18m in its totality earlier in the year.
“He is the biggest domino of the lot. It’s clear to everybody that he will be on his way home to Victoria at the end of this season,” Twomey said.
“I still have the Bulldogs in seat 1A. Geelong is interested, Collingwood is interested, Richmond is the other.
“He’s got the biggest deal on the table from Richmond, but the Bulldogs is where the links have been for the longest and strongest.”
St Kilda's Darcy Wilson on the move. Getty
Darcy Wilson (St Kilda)
Finally, there’s 20-year-old St Kilda breakout star Darcy Wilson who is out of contract and could be set for a big pay day.
Twomey reports almost all 17 other clubs have had a dip at luring him across.
“He might be the most wanted man in footy,” Twomey said.
“Nearly every club has expressed interest. A lot of Victorian clubs are chasing him with a lot of money on the table. North Melbourne is one of them. Geelong is another.
“St Kilda has good money on the table for him. He’s keeping his cards close to his chest.”
