New reports have emerged about the well-documented dinner between AFL star Lachie Neale and St Kilda coach Ross Lyon.
Neale, 33, is one of the game’s most well-known figures and has been part of the Brisbane Lions’ last two premiership-winning teams.
However, he made headlines for the wrong reasons over the summer after his marriage to popular footy WAG Jules broke down, which led to her taking their two children and moving back to Western Australia.
Neale’s future has been the subject of speculation since the split, with rumours suggesting he wants to leave the Lions and is seeking a move closer to family.
It has now been revealed Neale enjoyed an ‘informal’ chat with St Kilda coach Ross Lyon.
‘Yeah, we caught up with Lachie and it was pretty informal,’ St Kilda General Manager Lenny Hayes told 3AW.
Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale (pictured) is considering a move to Melbourne club St Kilda
The future of the 33-year-old (pictured) remains completely up in the air with a host of clubs circling
St Kila coach Ross Lyon (pictured) enjoyed a dinner with Neale to discuss a potential move to his team in the future
‘Obviously Ross has got a great relationship with Lachie [from their time together at Fremantle] and has for a number of years and catches up with him quite regularly and it was nice to get the invite,’ Hayes continued.
‘It went well.’
Hayes said a wide range of topics were discussed, describing the conversation as casual in nature.
‘It was quite informal, hearing a bit about where Lachie is at with things and where we think we are at,’ Hayes said.
‘We talked about the game more broadly.
‘It is a bit of a shame that it is out in the public domain but times have changed.’
Collingwood remains the frontrunner to secure the two-time premiership winner if he decides to move back to Victoria.
Richmond and Essendon have also expressed interest, but have fallen behind the Pies and Saints if Neale wants to sign with a Melbourne club.
However, Adelaide and his former club Fremantle in Western Australia are also considered strong contenders for his signature.
Neale, 33, could have up to six clubs chasing him for next season, including his current club with the Lions not giving up on retaining the star midfielder.
Following their highly publicised separation, he stepped down as Brisbane co-captain in January 2026, while Jules relocated to Perth with their children.
Late last week, Neale claimed every aspect of his future is under consideration before making a final call.
‘I’ve just got to weigh everything … success, finance, everything that goes along with playing footy. I’m 33 – probably don’t have that long left, so yeah, just weighing it all up,’ he told Fox Footy.
‘I honestly don’t know what I’m going to do. It’s 100 per cent the truth – I’m not sure what I’ll decide.’
