Neale’s numbers stack up as SA clubs circle
With a decision to make on his playing future, Lachie Neale is tracking towards his most impactful season since arriving at the Brisbane Lions in 2019.
Chris Fagan won’t cramp Lachie Neale as the off-contract Brisbane Lions star builds a body of work not matched since his arrival at the AFL club eight seasons ago.
The two-time Brownlow Medal-winner and dual premiership captain is an unrestricted free agent, weighing up his future beyond this season.
The break-up of his marriage means his children have moved to Perth, where he began his career with Fremantle, while Collingwood and both Adelaide clubs are reportedly interested in the 32-year-old’s services.
The next generation of midfielders have arrived at the Gabba, with Will Ashcroft winning both Norm Smith Medals in their finals victories and co-captains Hugh McCluggage and Josh Dunkley among the most valuable players in the competition.
But, injury free and driven, Neale is on track for his most damaging season since his heralded arrival.
After eight games, he’s averaging 30.63 disposals – more than in any campaign since 2019 (30.92) and third-most in his 15-season career.
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His 17.63 uncontested possessions per game is easily the most of his career, while he is averaging a career-high five inside-50s and the second-most goal assists (0.63) since his 2012 debut.
“Maybe what’s happening a little bit now is that he’s not the one that’s getting tagged and clubs are looking at whether it’s McCluggage or whether it’s Will Ashcroft,” Fagan said.
“There’s others there that clubs are now worried about, so Lachie is not always getting the same attention as what he was getting a year or two.
“The view was if you stop Neale you stop Brisbane’s midfield.”
Ahead of Friday’s Gabba clash with Carlton, Fagan said Neale’s career-high numbers were significant and impactful.
“That’s what you want with your midfielders; it’s not necessarily how much of the ball they get but the score involvements they have, and he’s been high this year.”
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Fagan laughed off the latest Neale trade link and said he wouldn’t start hassling him about his future.
“Collingwood would put their hand up for everybody, but we’ve just got to live with that news,” Fagan said.
“I don’t even know whether that’s true or not; I don’t ask Lachie every day what he’s thinking. I figure if he’s got something to tell me, he’ll come see me … I just coach him.
“We and I want him to stay, there’s no doubt in our minds about that.
“He’s got a choice to make, so all we can do is make sure our club is a really good club and he wants to stay here and keep playing.
“But he’s got to weigh up all these personal things as well.”
Collingwood coach Craig McRae confirmed his interest in Neale.
“We want to bring new players in, whether it’s Lachie Neale or whether it’s Nate Caddy – I saw his name mentioned, we can just throw any name out there, can’t we, who wants to play for Collingwood,” said McRae.
“I just have to play my part, which is put a good product on the weekend so players feel like they want to come and play for us and be an attractive destination.”
-with AAP
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