Another Victorian AFL club has entered the race for Brisbane’s Lachie Neale.
The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is expected to leave the Lions, with Collingwood considered favorites to sign the two-time Brownlow medalist. Neil has also been linked with both WA clubs due to his family circumstances.
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It has now been revealed that St Kilda are in the running for Neil – with coach Ross Lyon and general manager football Lenny Hayes set to meet with Neil this week. Neil played under Lyon during his time at Fremantle early in his career.
“I understand Neil is expected to meet Saints coach and former Fremantle coach Ross Lyon this weekend,” reporter Mitch Cleary told 7NEWS.
“Neil is in Victoria to play Geelong on Thursday night and his future is a hot topic right now.”
St Kilda went shopping during last year’s trade period, signing Tom De Koning, Jack Silvani, Sam Flanders and Liam Ryan to long-term contracts, as well as extending Nazia Wanganeen-Milera’s deal for $2 million.
“The Saints are clearly in a winning mindset now, trying to strengthen their roster,” Cleary said.
On Seven’s Agenda Setters, Dale Thomas asked: “So is this a formal presentation?” to which veteran reporter Caroline Wilson responded: “Absolutely.”
“Definitely football boss Lenny Hayes and Ross Lyon will meet Lachie Neil.
“Collingwood has been the leader here in terms of Victorian teams… but I think St Kilda is in the spotlight.
“There is some cynicism about whether the 33-year-old has been offered a three-year, $3 million deal by Collingwood or whether it is just a rumour.
“There is room at St Kilda whether Rowan Marshall leaves the club for greener pastures.”
“The Pies are very interested and the Lions have accepted that he will play somewhere else next season,” Cleary said.
Lachie Neil signs ‘biggest contract of his career’
Neal is expected to sign a three-year contract with his next club worth approximately $1 million per season.
“The weirdest thing is he’s looking at the biggest contract of his career,” Gerard Whately told Kayo Sports’ AFL 360.
“If he has three years left, he will get three years, and the first two will be the most lucrative of his career, wherever he goes.”
Neil and Zac Bailey are out of contract and Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said this week it was a “fact of life” for players to switch clubs.
“At the end of the day, in football today, players move. We don’t like to see them move, but that’s a fact of life,” Fagan told AFL 360.
“The main thing is whether they stay or go, as long as they continue to play and show the best they have every week, that’s all you can ask for.
“In the case of Zach and Laci, that’s what we get at the moment.
“No doubt this will all evolve. I may have to intervene at some point.
“But at the moment the focus is just on them, their playing and performing, and helping them with whatever they need help with in their lives.
“I probably haven’t had many conversations with Zac at the moment. His form has been really good so that’s my main concern as a coach,” Fagan said.
“Laci has probably had a few more conversations because it’s a little bit more about what the future holds for Laci.
“Sometimes he needs advice and help, so I usually talk to him.”
On AFL 360, Lee Montagna called on Fagan and the Lions to use a “last dance” mentality to help Brisbane claim three premierships before losing Neil and Bailey to rival clubs.
“I would love to see Chris Fagan as fuel, almost use him as the script for the last dance,” Montagna said.
“We’re losing two elite players, two of the best players in the tournament. It won’t be easy.
“I’m just wondering if they can lean on the two best players leaving at the end of the year and say, ‘Let’s do this again. Let’s make this our last dance.”
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