Lachie Neale will be staying at Brisbane next season, ending speculation that he was looking to move to Western Australia and join the Fremantle Dockers for family reasons.
It was reported on Sunday that Neale was set to request a trade back to Fremantle as he and his pregnant wife wanted to raise their child closer to her family.
But Neale has today quashed those rumours in a video released on the Brisbane Lions’ official website.
“It’s been a whirlwind few days and everything’s gotten a little bit out of hand but I’m fully committed to the club,” he said in the video.
Neale did admit there was an element of truth to the rumours, but confirmed he was keen to stay at the club he moved to ahead of the 2019 season.
“I’m excited to be pushing on. Clearly, as a lot of people know now, my wife’s heavily pregnant. She’s from WA, [there is] a lot of family and support network and friends in WA. Behind the scenes we had a couple of conversations about how that looked. With the COVID situation it’s been really hard for her to see her family and friends as it has for a lot of people. I’ve got a great support network in Perth as well.
“So we were half considering the prospect of getting back at some stage. But after sitting down and talking it through with our family and our friends and with the club and with my management team, it became pretty clear, after a couple of days, that this is where the best place for us is to be – at Brisbane.
“Firstly for my footy, and secondly we believe we can get the support network around us that we need.”
“So we know it’s challenging times for everyone with COVID and we’re no different. We’re human and [it] probably got played out a little bit sooner and earlier than what we thought.
“It sort of got blown out of proportion a bit. Now we’ve made that decision we’re really happy and can’t wait to get stuck into next year.
“I think one of the biggest things as well is I’ve got unfinished business here. I want to be holding up a cup in a Lions guernsey and that’s what I’ll be working towards over the next couple of years.”
Lions fans may be wary, however, after Dayne Beams made a similar public declaration that he’d see out his contract with Brisbane at the end of 2018 – only to be traded to Collingwood that offseason anyway.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Matt Johnson has been tipped for top 10. 192 cm midfielder that they are comparing with Pendlebury.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Late first round and 2 early to mid second rounders will give us access to 3 more really good WA boys plus Benning and our 8 will give us a gun and our 25 will be another top kid. Melbourne could acquiesce nicely.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Try again…stupid adds. He averages 4 a game at the phenomenal accuracy rate of 78%.Head and shoulders above the best of the WA boys.
Jonboy
Roar Rookie
Amiss is tipped to go top ten has kicked 51 goals in the colts in 13 games average 4 a game at g
berrlins
Roar Pro
It was pretty grim last year when the health system got overwhelmed and the bodies piled up but they managed to wrestle back control, this summer we hit 80% vaccinated so we've been pretty lucky, I wish Australia would get a move on with its vaccines but only having AZ has hurt it a little I think.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
I have some friends in Italy who told me some horror stories from last year.. having said that now it sounds like Europe is far far ahead of us in terms of the Vaccine rollout and people are getting to travel again? Would absolutely love to get back to Italy soon, an amazing country!
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Haha having a good ruckman certainly helps! Look at what the best in the business did to Geelong last night!
13th Man
Roar Rookie
We need to get pick 6 at the absolute very least.. I'd be hoping for pick 6 plus a second rounder.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
We have pick 8. We won't get pick 6. Far more likely to seek 2 or 3 picks for Chez so that we can draft a couple of them.
Marty
Roar Rookie
Yep he certainly looks the goods but is he still going to be there by the time pick 6 comes around?
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Gee heard some horrible stories in Italy must be tough all the best mate. Well you must be a resilient character let’s hope our dogs can beat Port & move into a GF :thumbup:
berrlins
Roar Pro
Yeah man been based here for nearly 8 years, I usually travel back to Oz as much as possible but of course due to Covid I haven't been back in awhile. Not easy but there are alot of people doing it tougher, i feel for them.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I think you will find when he signed the contract one was pretty free to fly any where you liked in the country. 3 years later- the same freedoms aren’t exactly on offer and no clear signs of it easing. Any wonder the Neales were making enquirers / having discussions where they wanted to live and raise a new child. I hope both Lachie and Jules can get the support they need in what is pretty tough time raising a child. I can only imagine how much harder it would be 1st parents without support network
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Jarrod Lienert is just sitting there waiting for a good team to pick him up, he'd be the perfect replacement for Birchall
Ace
Roar Rookie
Hi nickom, What I meant was that players seem to be able to get out of a contracts these days to suit their motives I realise it takes both parties to agree but a contract obligation is not what it used to be don't you think..but all good..cheers
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Yea true but with the big bear in the guts our mids will be rapt Game will be won in centre Regardless of losing Keith which hurts!
13th Man
Roar Rookie
At least you've seen a GF victory though.. I've only seen a GF defeat. Will be a tough game for your guys with the injuries, Port do look good. Either way I think it'll be a brilliant game between two quality sides.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Van Rooyen is actually ahead of them all. He is the Naughton type.
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
Rubbish. She's been correct on both occasions. You don't get an apology because you don't like her. That's your problem, not hers.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You've come in to the conversation half-way. Different issue.