Kane Cornes reveals why Lachie Neale's potential exit could be a blessing in disguise for Brisbane
Lachie Neale's decision to stand down as captain could be the blessing in disguise that the Brisbane Lions have been waiting for, according to AFL great Kane Cornes.
Neale announced on January 2 that he would be stepping down as co-captain of the back-to-back premiership winners amid a personal situation around his marriage.
While the 32-year-old took full responsibility for his marriage breakdown, Cornes focused on the rough run of injuries over the past couple of years that Neale has battled.
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Neale, a two-time Brownlow Medal winner, was sidelined late in the 2025 season after suffering a calf tear, but somehow managed to return for the grand final.
The cloud over Neale's involvement in that game had lingered throughout the Lions' entire finals campaign, although the risk to field him in the third term paid off.
Harris Andrews, Chris Fagan and Lachie Neale of the Lions hold the premiership cup aloft in 2025. via Getty Images
Even though that was the case, Cornes admitted that recent circumstances could provide the club with a chance to swiftly transition towards a future without Neale.
"I think it's an absolute win for Brisbane, from a footy point of view," Cornes said of Neale's captaincy choice, when speaking on the Eddy Cornes podcast.
"As much as you'll say well Lachie Neale is a dual Brownlow medallist and his performances in both grand finals have been nothing short of unbelievable - but now, with the young players coming through at Brisbane, there are midfield minutes that need to be given to the Ashcroft brothers and (Jaspar) Fletcher's going to end up being a midfielder.
"They've got another academy kid coming through, so there are midfield minutes there that need to be given to the younger generation.
Will Ashcroft and Lachie Neale celebrate. Getty
"Even this year, there was a school of thought that when Lachie Neale had played, certainly from a defensive point of view throughout the midfield, that there was a vulnerability there.
"So (Josh) Dunkley is this outstanding defensive midfielder ... (Jarrod) Berry is also of a similar ilk. (Will and Levi) Ashcroft, both of them are not defensively minded at all so it's about getting that balance right in the midfield and Lachie is the same.
"These star midfielders don't typically defend. They haven't needed to. But that can come back to bite you if you don't get the balance right through the midfield.
"Lachie, at 32, with the issues now with his body ... that is not going to get any better with age.
"It is not going to be a bad thing if he leaves.
"It is the perfect opportunity at the end of this year for Brisbane to let him go to suit his family life and head to probably West Coast or Fremantle."
Lachie Neale of the Brisbane Lions looks on. Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images
The Lions have confirmed they will not interfere with Neale's free agency at the season's end if he wishes to part ways with the team and move to Westen Australia.
It has been widely reported that Neale is likely to move closer to his two children back in WA, which prompted links he could reunite with his former team, the Dockers.
However, the West Coast Eagles are also in the race to land his signature.
Of the two teams, Cornes believes the best option for Neale would be West Coast.
"You would think with where they're (West Coast) at for another couple of years and extend his career," Cornes said.
"I don't think it's a bad thing if he leaves at the end of this year, certainly from a footy point of view and we'll see how it effects his on-field performance this year."
