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FIFA World Cup guideFagan: The Neale scenario that would be a “head scratcher” for Lions
Andrew Slevison • June 9th, 2026 10:55 am
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan is hoping Lachie Neale commits to the Lions.
The two-time Brownlow Medallist and premiership player is continuing to ponder his future with his current contract set to expire at season’s end.
Neale has been linked to both Western Australian clubs in a bid to be closer to his children after he and wife Jules separated late last year resulting in her return to Perth.
Fagan insists that the Lions want to keep the 33-year-old who will become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.
“For starters, we definitely want to keep him. There’s no question about that,” Fagan said on SEN Breakfast.
“The thing is that we don’t have that much power in that decision because it’s really something that is up to Lachie because he’s a free agent.
“He knows we want him to stay and we’ll be trying to make him an offer that will help him to stay. But he’s got other things going on in his life that he has to think about as well.
“So it’s a fairly complex situation that he finds himself in. I haven’t had too many lengthy conversations with him about that, I’m mostly checking in just to see if he’s going ok because he’s had a year where he’s been under a hell of a lot of scrutiny and pressure. My concern mostly as his coach is for his welfare.
“Whatever decision he makes going forward, we hope it goes our way, but we also understand if it doesn’t.”
There is the idea of returning to Fremantle or joining a rebuilding West Coast while even a shift back to his home state of South Australia has been floated.
“I guess it will be depending on whether he wants to be closer to his children, eg, go back to Perth where his children are,” Fagan said.
“Or even Adelaide where he’s got family and he is closer to Perth, and it’s easier to get to and from that location.
“It’s pretty complex.”
Then there are the constant Collingwood rumours.
But a move to Melbourne would be a strange outcome in the mind of Fagan.
“That would be a bit of a head scratcher for me,” said the two-time flag winning coach.
“But it’s his business how he sees this and where he thinks the best location is for him in relation to his family.
“I don’t like getting involved too much in these personal decision, they are way more complex than we all think from the outside looking in.
“I think I’ll just leave it at that, I’m not too involved in the private lives of my players.”
Neale was superb in Brisbane’s much-needed Q-Clash triumph over Gold Coast on the weekend, racking up 37 disposals and 10 clearances as the Lions got their season back on track.
