'100 per cent the truth': Neale's candid admission on future
Brisbane star Lachie Neale admits he genuinely doesn’t know where he wants to play footy next year, as he plans to spend the weekend meeting with both St Kilda and Essendon.
An unrestricted free agent at season’s end, Neale was reportedly initially weighing up departing Brisbane to return to Perth and be closer to his family, following his public split from his wife Jules.
Lachie Neale at the Cattery on Thursday night. Getty
However, while both West Coast and Fremantle have interest in Neale, it appears a pair of Victorian clubs are leading the charge for his services in 2027: Collingwood and St Kilda.
The Magpies have reportedly offered the 33-year-old a three-year, $3m contract, while signing with the Saints would see Neale reunite with Ross Lyon, who coached him at the beginning of his career at the Dockers.
Lyon and Neale will have dinner together, given the two-time Brownlow Medallist is in Victoria following his side’s 22-point win over Geelong on Thursday night.
The veteran naturally has a lot to weigh up. His children are in Perth, he’s won two flags with the Lions, and he grew up in South Australia and has family there, but the biggest money will likely come from Victoria.
Speaking after the win, Neale said he would need more time to make his decision.
“I’ve just got to weigh everything: success, finance, everything that goes along with playing footy. I’m 33, probably don’t have that long left, just weighing it all up,” he told Fox Footy.
“I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do. It’s 100 per cent the truth. I’m not sure what I’ll decide.”
Neale candidly ran through the options in front of him and was open about his planned meetings with rival clubs.
He also refused to rule out remaining at Brisbane.
“It’s nice to be 33 and feel a little bit wanted. Probably doesn’t happen that often,” he added.
“I love my football. I love playing for this footy club.
“[The future] will work itself out over the next sort of six to eight weeks in the back half of the year. I’ll leave Tom Petroro [his manager] to deal with the most of that.
“If I’m honest, I have to go to a couple of meetings [with other clubs] and delve into it a little bit, but it’s more talking about the future and more so post-footy as well.
Lachie Neale. Getty
“I have those chats with Brisbane, too, and have caught up with [Brisbane football bosses] Dom Ambrogio and Danny Daly a couple of times as well. It’s not just other clubs.
“It’s a bit of a difficult situation that I’m working through. I’ll work out what the best situation is in due time.
“But I love playing for this club. I’m all in at the moment to try and win a third premiership.
“And who knows? I might be back next year as well.
“Obviously, my kids, it’s well documented are in Perth. I’ve got my family. Dad’s living in Hamilton at the moment, gets back to Robe on the weekends ... Then Mum and my stepdad are on a farm right on the border of South Australia and Victoria.
“It’s weighing up whether to be closer to them, closer to the kids.
“Whether I stay in Brisbane and make that work as well, that’s definitely a chance. Like I said, love playing here.”
Lyon said on Thursday that his catch-up with Neale would be one between friends, but had turned into a “circus”.
“I wouldn’t have thought he’s leaving Brisbane and I still don’t think that’s guaranteed,” Lyon told reporters.
Lachie Neale and Ross Lyon in their time together at Fremantle in 2018. AFL Media
“But if Collingwood and Essendon and everyone are talking to Lachie, I think I can slip in between entrée and main: ‘What are you thinking about doing with your life in footy?’
“Clearly it’s been a tumultuous time. It’s a friendship dinner that’s somehow turned into this circus.”
There’s no doubt Lyon is flirting with the idea of luring Neale to Moorabbin.
“Throw Lachie Neale in, it would look alright ... Icing on the cake,” he said.
Despite the off-field distractions, Neale is still playing strong footy. He’s averaging 30 disposals, seven clearances and five inside 50s per game for the Lions this season.
Brisbane have won their past four games to climb into fourth on the ladder, as they try to replicate the champion Lions sides of the early 2000s in winning three consecutive flags.
From left: Brisbane's Will Ashcroft, Kai Lohmann and Lachie Neale after Thursday night's win over Geelong. Getty
The Saints’ interest in Neale follows their attainment of stars Tom de Koning, Jack Silvagni, Sam Flanders and Liam Ryan in the 2025 trade period, and the club’s re-signing of gun midfielder Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, the AFL’s first $2 million-a-season player.
“There’s due diligence, to try to get better, and that’s all it is here,” Lyon said of his dinner with Neale.
“It could be on the club [credit] card if we talk footy, but they run a pretty tight ship here. It could be McDonald’s.”
Lyon went some way to down-playing the significance of the dinner.
“It’s been blown out of all proportion. I regularly catch up with Lachie in town, with a close [mutual] friend,” Lyon said.
“It’s the normal dinner, with both people window shopping. There’s certainly no strong agenda from either side.”
Neale had an eventful evening at the Cattery on Thursday night, needing to come off for a HIA after a big hit in the first half.
He passed the test and returned to the game, finishing with 28 disposals, six clearances and four marks in the win.
