Lachie Neale’s future remains one of the more intriguing developments of the 2026 season, following reports he is set to meet with St Kilda coach Ross Lyon in Victoria this week.
An unrestricted free agent, the two-time Brownlow Medallist 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 of the Lions Getty
However, while both West Coast and Fremantle have interest in Neale, it appears to be a pair of Victorian clubs 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 the Saints would see Neale reunite with Lyon, who coached him at the beginning of his career at the Dockers.
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.
However, Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes believes Brisbane has every right to be confused as to why Neale, who captained the club to two premierships, would leave the club and move further away from his family.
“How would Brisbane be feeling about this? Lachie is handling it in a mature way and it’s not affecting his performance, but this is rare air that Brisbane is chasing. Three premierships in a row,” Cornes told SEN on Wednesday.
“And now this information comes out before a huge game in Geelong that his mind is potentially on a meeting the following day with a rival club on where he’s going to play next year.
“Three premierships in a row just doesn’t happen very often. You become immortal. Now he’s got a scheduled meeting with another club. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.
“Zak Butters and Port are out of finals contention. They’re not chasing a third straight premiership. He’s not dealing with personal issues that the club has needed to support him through.”
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan admitted he found the idea of Neale leaving Brisbane for Collingwood “head scratching” earlier in the year.
Cornes believes a move to St Kilda would be even harder to explain.
“Chris Fagan said it was a head scratcher if Neale goes to Collingwood. I can’t imagine what Chris Fagan is thinking and how hard he’s scratching his head about Neale going to St Kilda,” he said.
“If it’s to have success, stay at Brisbane, if it’s to be closer to your family, go to Perth. I can absolutely understand why (Neale moving to Victoria) would be a head-scratching move.”
Brisbane is in Victoria this week for a Thursday night clash with Geelong, allowing Neale to meet up with Lyon over the weekend.