Neale done with Dockers, wants Lions
AFL Lachie Neale has told new football boss Peter Bell he has played his last game at Fremantle and is prepared to go public if it will help smooth a trade to Brisbane.
Fremantle continue to play hard ball in its quest to secure Jesse Hogan for pick 11 and a future second-rounder as well as potentially attempt to get Neale (pictured) to stay.
The Dockers are asking for pick five and a mid-teens pick from Brisbane they do not have, resisting attempts to broker the trade for only pick five.
If the Neale trade fell through, Fremantle could keep pick five to take to the draft as well as securing Hogan, a perfect scenario for Bell and CEO/ acting list manager Steve Rosich.
But while Bell said it would be a badge of honour to keep relentless ball winner Neale at Fremantle, the Dockers star made it clear he wasn’t playing there next year.
He is becoming frustrated with the club’s inability to broker a deal with Brisbane.
Fremantle have ended their pursuit of Melbourne forward Jesse Hogan, the Dockers sensationally cutting off trade negotiations with the Demons.
The Dockers have long been linked with the Perth native, who is out of contract at the end of next season, but abruptly shut down talks about a possible switch yesterday.
“While discussions were proceeding it became clear that what Melbourne would be seeking for a trade would not be possible for our club to meet,” Fremantle football chief Peter Bell said.
Meanwhile, Sydney Swans star Dan Hannebery has been traded to St Kilda.
The premiership Swan will join the Saints on a long-term contract, with Sydney receiving pick 39 and a 2019 secondround pick in exchange for the midfielder and Pick 28.
The 27-year-old will join the Saints on a five-year deal, after playing 208 games for Sydney.
“Dan’s a highly-accomplished midfielder who will be a significant addition to our group,” St Kilda general manager of football Simon Lethlean said.
Hannebery is looking forward to starting a new chapter of his AFL career in Victoria.