Docker Neale still uncertain of future

FREMANTLE midfielder Lachie Neale insists he won’t sit out next AFL season if the Dockers don’t trade him to Brisbane.

Neale’s future remains up in the air, with the 25-year-old keen to join the Lions on a lucrative five-year deal.

The 177cm onballer still has one more year to run on his contract at Fremantle, and the Dockers have indicated they would require more than Brisbane’s pick No.4 for the deal to go through.

Neale capped off a fine season by winning Fremantle’s best and fairest award on Saturday night.

But he said he was still unsure where his future lies.

“There’s obviously a bit of an elephant in the room with what the future might hold with me, but that will sort itself out over the next couple of weeks,” Neale said on stage.

“I can honestly say I’m not sure what’s going to happen with that.”

Neale said he would happily play for Fremantle next year if a deal couldn’t be done with Brisbane.

“I would be fine with it,” he said during his press conference after the awards night.

“If I had to, I would go and play for any team in the AFL – I love footy. There’s no way I would sit out a year, not try or be uncommitted to wherever I was playing my football.”

Fremantle are keen to lure Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan their way, while GWS big man Rory Lobb is also in their sights.

The Dockers have already signed Richmond free agent Reece Conca on a threeyear deal.