Speculation Lachie Neale [OOC/RFA 2026]

[golions]

Given the events of the past few days, presumably there's going to be a lot of speculation about Lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

32

Ht

177cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

moving to WA at the end of next year given he will be out of contract with the Lions and a restricted free agent.

He'll be 33 at end of next year and unlikely to be able to command big money despite his accolades.

I assume Freo don't really have a need that he can fill, so is it just going to be a case of Eagles offering a contract that the Lions will choose not to match and will get some late compo? Or could Eagles suggest he nominate for Pre-season Draft and Lions will get nothing?

 

[Obeanie1]

What contract should the Eagles offer a 34 yr old?

Would rather save and use that on Warner or another free agent.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Retirement would have to be a serious option

Unless he gets through the year injury free and shows good form

 

[THE_GUN]

Going through separation that could end up in divorce
he is going to need some cash so will want to keep playing

Perfect for the eagles with experience and leadership
4 years at $800k sounds about right with the eagles desperately in need of quality mature players

 

[JLC]

Hopefully he sorts out his groin issues.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

In all honesty I think he would be more likely to go to Sydney then a club out west anyway.

Im assuming he wants to bang his way around Australia and Adelaide/Brisbane/Perth have been ticked off the bucket list

 

[eaglevision]

Would take Lachie for a rolling 1 year deal on modest cash provided he plays 20+ games this year. Can’t see Lions being dickheads about it either.

 

[Xtreme]

Going through separation that could end up in divorce
he is going to need some cash so will want to keep playing

Perfect for the eagles with experience and leadership
4 years at $800k sounds about right with the eagles desperately in need of quality mature players

Geelong has entered the chat

 

[Tugga27]

Would take Lachie for a rolling 1 year deal on modest cash provided he plays 20+ games this year. Can’t see Lions being dickheads about it either.

Like with Ah Chee you mean......

 

[eaglevision]

Like with Ah Chee you mean......

Adelaide’s F2 and F3 was unders for Ah Chee, no issue with them knocking that back.

 

[Tugga27]

Adelaide’s F2 and F3 was unders for Ah Chee, no issue with them knocking that back.

And ending up with nothing.

 

[eaglevision]

And ending up with nothing.

They did, if all the other clubs weren’t soft ***** and did what the Blues did to Nick Stevens the PSD would serve the purpose it was intended for.

 

[Tugga27]

They did, if all the other clubs weren’t soft ***** and did what the Blues did to Nick Stevens the PSD would serve the purpose it was intended for.

I guess when you've won the last 2 GF's, you can afford to be tough.

I agree in principle though.
Thought we should've made a play for him.

 

[THE_GUN]

He should go to the Suns
Dimma and Lachie would have interesting chats

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Freo dont need another midfielder of his type and hes too old for West Coast. If he wants to follow his kids back to WA he will be retiring unless he stays at Brisbane on a heavily reduced deal.

 

[Elite Pete]

Luke Hodge was about the same age when he went to a wooden spooner Brissy?

Would be a great fit for the Eagles imo if that’s how it plays out for just cap space. (As long as he’s not out with injury a large blocks of the year in 2026)

 

[ghostbat12]

if only Neale went soft ****, ah Chee to Adelaide wouldn't be debated again.

what a world.

 

[Rich01]

Luke Hodge was about the same age when he went to a wooden spooner Brissy?

Would be a great fit for the Eagles imo if that’s how it plays out for just cap space. (As long as he’s not out with injury a large blocks of the year in 2026)

Luke Hodge went to Brisbane to be an onfield leader and set standards.

I’m not sure Neale is of that kind of ilk.

Great player in his prime though.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Luke Hodge went to Brisbane to be an onfield leader and set standards.

I’m not sure Neale is of that kind of ilk.

Great player in his prime though.

He's a 2 time premiership captain and has a couple of Brownlows.

I don't think you can shade Neale's credentials to play a similar role to Hodge.

He stepped out on his wife...no drink driving charges that we know of.

 

[Rich01]

He's a 2 time premiership captain and has a couple of Brownlows.

I don't think you can shade Neale's credentials to play a similar role to Hodge.

He stepped out on his wife...no drink driving charges that we know of.

I have no view of this deeds off the field when assessing him.

I think he’s been a great individual player on the field. I just don’t see him as a great on field leader like Hodge or Mitchell. And not many are.

But yes, he would probably walk into West Coasts midfield as a 34 year old and contribute significantly to the team if that’s what mini wanted. But I doubt it would be.

 

[eastfreo75]

Would take Lachie for a rolling 1 year deal on modest cash provided he plays 20+ games this year. Can’t see Lions being dickheads about it either.

Dom the Dyck.

He will demand two first round picks.

 

[eastfreo75]

Not a need for Freo and not young enough for West Coast.

Dom the Prick is difficult to deal with, and Neale hopefully wants to be involved with his kids.

Seems like it won't end up well.

As a father and having a absent dad I want all the best for all parties and especially the kids. My feelings it won't work out well for the children.

 

[Elite Pete]

Not a need for Freo and not young enough for West Coast.

Dom the Prick is difficult to deal with, and Neale hopefully wants to be involved with his kids.

Seems like it won't end up well.

As a father and having an absent dad I want all the best for all parties and especially the kids. My feelings it won't work out well for the children.

He’s a free agent so unlikely to get anything for Brissy if he was to leave at his age and contract length

 

[ghostbat12]

Dom the Dyck.

He will demand two first round picks.

he is a restricted free agent. yes, he can match but Neale can simply say he will retire as being with children is more important.

Neale has given excellent service to Brisbane. doubt they fight this one.

 

[eastfreo75]

he is a restricted free agent. yes, he can match but Neale can simply say he will retire as being with children is more important.

Neale has given excellent service to Brisbane. doubt they fight this one.

Dom the prick is a smart operator. He is playing the long game. Dom wants the rep of being difficult to deal, so other clubs think twice about poaching any Lions.