Brisbane Lions superstar Lachie Neale is believed to be considering a shock return to Fremantle for 2022.
Channel 7 News Perth reporter Ryan Daniels reported on Sunday evening that the reigning Brownlow Medallist is set to depart the Lions in a fairytale homecoming to the Dockers, as he and his partner look to begin a family back in Perth.
The news has taken the footy world by storm. Neale is one of the AFL’s most decorated players, earning two All Australian blazers alongside his 2020 Brownlow since departing the Dockers for the Gabba at the end of 2018.
Despite dealing with an ankle injury for much of this season, Neale’s 46-disposal effort in the Lions’ qualifying final loss to Melbourne reaffirmed his status as one of the best players in the game. He racked up another 28 touches in the Lions’ semi-final defeat to the Western Bulldogs.
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It’s a second devastating blow to the Lions in just 24 hours, having been knocked out of the 2021 finals series on Saturday night with a thrilling one-point loss to the Bulldogs.
Neale and partner Jules are expecting their first child. It’s believed the trade request is fuelled by a desire to raise their new daughter in Perth. Neale is originally from South Australia, but played 135 games at the Dockers after being drafted in 2011.
Any trade has several roadblocks to overcome before a deal can be finalised. Neale is contracted to the Lions through to the end of 2023, after signing a five-year deal with the club worth around $4 million at the end of 2018.
However, the looming departure of young gun Adam Cerra from the Dockers could open doors for a potential three-way deal, with Cerra linked heavily to Carlton.
It isn’t all doom and gloom for the Lions, though: they’re 7-0 with Neale sidelined this season, while their record with the superstar in the team is a far more patchy 8-9.
M. Rockatanksy
Guest
This trade would be risk on for Freo. It would be way better for them to stick to their strategy and go to the draft with maximum points. They shouldn't trade any top 10 picks for Lachie as good a player as he's been given their forward woes over many years. He's a player that can polish off a contender. Freo has not shown anywhere near that sort of form yet, and they need more good young players to build depth.
Bludger
Guest
Funny is Freo or the Eagles are not interested in recruiting him.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Youth has no impact on anything...apart from the immaturity to want to go home.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
So are we. Are you aware how many you don't know because you don't follow it? Get them on the park together and you'll know all about it. Especially with Fyfe, Walters and maybe Neale back on the park to feed them. You've exposed yourself there, Peter.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You may as well keep Lobb for a second or third round. Schultz was good trade capital. We could have got a late second or third for him.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
Yeah I can recall that being said. Can just hope that Belly has learnt from it.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I disagree that O'Meara is better than Cerra. Cerra is far younger, less injury prone and has more upside to him.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
You could probably get a second/third round pick for Lobb, considering he is in contract on decent coin. Sadly past injury does have a bearing on the future, Stephen Hill an example of this, retiring before turning 30.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Yeah he was, it was a "feather in his cap" remember.
Peter
Guest
Lol. 17th other clubs happy for Freo to keep this forward line.
berrlins
Roar Pro
Completely agree, I wrote before that I expect more interstaters to ask for a trade particularly considering the hard border WA has with Victoria and the premier of WAs stance on opening even if they have a near fully vaccinated population (which I also don't necessarily disagree with)
13th Man
Roar Rookie
It's hard to see another alternative scenario. In normal times they would make it work, e.g. allow Neale and wife time off to go back to Perth, fly in family to Brisbane etc. In covid times it's just not possible, it's the main reason why Cerra is leaving too. Not being able to spend any time with family at all and being cut off is taking its toll, and I'd be surprised if Cerra and Neale are the only casualties of this.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Freo have picks 8 and 27 apart from the Cerra deal which could bring 6 and 29 as well. Neale contract is squashed and Freo is not obliged to pay him big money. Freo give Brissy 27 and a player. Like it or Lump it we don’t need him that badly.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
Freo lose big time in that deal
Johnno
Roar Rookie
I don’t think Bell was the footy boss when the Hogan deal was done.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
Freo get Neale & lose Cerra. We lose out big time there.
Johnno
Roar Rookie
All good questions. As I said above, I think late first rounder is about right...17 or 18. Pay him his $800k a year, taking that off the Lions books is a big plus for them. They can go to free agents with $’s in their hand.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Parker is a perfect replacement for Neale. Cerra will go to Melbourne and Weidemann and something will get to Freo. Lobb will Lob in Sydney and Brissy won’t get much at all for for Neale.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Injury in the past rarely means injured forever and ever. You give that far too much weight. Lobb has no trade value.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Of course we'd want Lachie. O'Meara is a better player than Cerra though. I don't think many know how good he is.