Former Lions player Alastair Lynch believes there is ‘almost no chance’ Lachie Neale remains at the club next season as speculation mounts over his next deal in the AFL. Neale is one of the most talked about players in the competition with the midfielder linked to a number of clubs considering his current deal with the Lions ends after the 2026 season.
Speaking on Fox Sports’ ‘On The Couch’ program last week, Jon Ralph said Collingwood are set to make a $3 million offer for three years, which has blown clubs out of the water. While there are also claims he could move back to Perth to be closer to his kids.
Former Brisbane Lions player Alastair Lynch feels Lachie Neale (pictured left) will leave the club at the end of the season. (Images: Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Although the other option is to remain at the Lions where he has won two premierships. Neale is still one of the best midfielders in the game and has proven it this year with the Lions.
Despite his stellar form, the Lions are undergoing a salary cap squeeze. Many are urging the Lions to prioritise keeping their younger talent on the list. Neale is 33 years old and stood down from co-captain in the off-season.
Lynch said he hasn’t heard Neale suggest he wants to move to Collingwood or to WA amid all the speculation. Despite this, he feels there is ‘almost no chance’ Neale remains at the Lions with the club’s priority turning to retaining the likes of Zac Bailey.
“I think it would work out quite nicely for the Brisbane Lions. Lachie is probably leading their best and fairest this year as well. He’s a star player, won two Brownlow Medals and led the team to a couple of premierships and three Grand Finals,” he said on SEN Radio.
He added: “The salary cap squeeze on the Brisbane Lions means shake hands and move on, because you’ve got this flood of young players coming through that are going to have get paid. You’ve got to retain Zac Bailey and then there’s Logan Morris and players coming out of contract periodically. I think there’s almost no chance Lachie Neale will be at the Brisbane Lions next year.”
Lachie Neale (pictured) is off contract at end the end of the season. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)
(Steve Bell via Getty Images)
Luke Hodge throws out Victorian-based club
A move to Victoria has been floated for Neale, despite initial reports suggesting he would move back to WA. And AFL great Luke Hodge suggested Collingwood might not be the only Victorian club going for the midfielder.
“I know it’s been touted that he might go to WA, he might stay in Brisbane, he might even go to Adelaide because he’s got family over there,” Hodge said. “Ever since Collingwood got involved and they offered him a long-term deal, why wouldn’t St Kilda double down?”
Neale has been at the Lions for eight seasons. In this time, he has won two premierships and two Brownlow Medals. He is averaging more than 30 disposals and seven clearances a game this season.