Trade talk: Melbourne clubs closely watching star Lion, Suns defender

Andrew Slevison • June 12th, 2026 12:44 pm

Two Melbourne clubs closely watched a star Lion while keeping an eye on a Suns defender last weekend.

The QClash double header kicked off with the VFL contest at People First Stadium where defender Charlie Ballard performed well in his side’s 17-point win.

Watching closely was St Kilda recruiting boss Graeme ‘Gubby’ Allan as Ballard went about amassing 23 disposals and taking eight marks.

Ballard, 26, is contracted with the Suns until 2029 but is deemed “gettable” given his status in the Suns side with only four senior appearances to his name in 2026 following a 2025 campaign ruined by an ACL rupture.

He is back in Damien Hardwick’s team for Friday night’s clash with Geelong at GMHBA Stadium but is not seen as first-choice these days.

SEN’s Sam Edmund is reporting that Ballard to the Saints is a possible move to watch as 2026 progresses.

“There were two very interested viewing parties up there from Melbourne-based clubs last week,” Edmund said on SEN’s Fireball.

“St Kilda have got an interest in Gold Coast defender Charlie Ballard and ‘Gubby’ Allan, St Kilda’s head of talent and acquisition, was up there keeping a very close eye on Charlie who has been in and out this year.

“He’s back in this week but he’s very much gettable despite having a long-term contract until 2029.

“Ballard to St Kilda potentially at the end of the year is one to keep a little eye on.”

The Saints were close to signing defender Leek Aleer from GWS last trade period but pulled out late. They did land Jack Silvagni from Carlton to bolster their defence.

The other Queensland-based player being watched by a Melbourne club was Lions star Lachie Neale.

He dominated the back-to-back premiers’ QClash victory over the Suns with 37 touches and 10 clearances, watched closely by Collingwood people.

Edmund said the Magpies met with the two-time Brownlow Medallist who is weighing up his future with the Lions.

“Separate to that there was a Collingwood delegation up on the coast and they met with Lachie Neale in Queensland last week as they continue to try to convince the dual Brownlow Medallist to join them in the off-season,” Edmund added.

“Something that Chris Fagan said he would find head scratching.

“Now Craig McRae’s 2026 version of ‘give me players, not picks’ might have unfolded on Monday night on AFL 360 when he said, ‘I’m impatient to get the right people in our environment’ and ‘also try to get the list to a state where we can compete’.

“Neale comes for nothing. They don’t give up anything, he’s an unrestricted free agent. But on the other side of that he is 33, turning 34 next May.

“He’s got a huge decision to make. Close to family in WA? Closer to family in SA? Staying at the Lions? The latter doesn’t appear likely right now.

“Or he comes down to Collingwood which would be a huge move.”

Two-time premiership player Neale, 33, is out of contract at season’s end and can leave the Lions as an unrestricted free agent.