Veteran AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has revealed she believes Brisbane Lions poster boy Lachie Neale will join a Melbourne club in 2027 because his marriage split means ‘he needs a bit more money now than he thought he would’.
The two-time premiership winner’s future has been a hot topic of discussion since his estranged wife Jules accused him of an ‘unimaginable betrayal’ and moved back to her home town of Perth with their two children.
Neale’s contract with the Lions ends this season and initial speculation pointed to him signing with either the Eagles or Dockers to remain close to his daughter Piper and son Freddie.
However, recent reports have linked him with moves to the Collingwood Magpies or St Kilda.
‘Money makes the world go around, Sam, and Lachie Neale probably needs a bit more money now than he thought he would a few years ago,’ Wilson told the ‘Real Footy’ podcast she appeared on with fellow AFL expert Sam McClure.
‘I think he’s loving the attention, and I think that he’s thinking, maybe it would be nice to finish my career in Melbourne.’
Lachie Neale (pictured) is likely to move to a Melbourne-based club, according to respected footy journalist Caroline Wilson
Neale is off contract with Brisbane after this season and was widely thought to be eyeing a move to the Eagles or Dockers to be close to his children after his marriage split
Neale (pictured) is being courted by Collingwood and St Kilda
Neale recently enjoyed an ‘informal’ chat with St Kilda coach Ross Lyon in a sign he could shift to the club.
‘Yeah, we caught up with Lachie and it was pretty informal,’ Saints general manager Lenny Hayes said.
‘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.’
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 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.
