Neale holds off on trade request
BRISBANE would not hold Brownlow Medal star Lachie Neale against his will if he made an official trade request to head home to Western Australia.
The Lions met with Neale at the Gabba on Monday when he pointedly did not request that trade despite confirming he was weighing up a move back home to Fremantle.
That request would seem inevitable given his wife Jules is keen to return to Perth to be closer to her family as she awaits the arrival of the couple’s first daughter.
But Neale made clear he was genuinely torn by the family’s circumstances and even at one point suggested he would not be asking for a trade.
The Lions made clear from the start of the meeting they understood the tough position he was in, but he told them he needed more time to consider his future.
While rival clubs have at times refused to trade their star players, Brisbane has built a culture with senior coach Chris Fagan of strong relationships with players.
It is understood Fagan would accept Neale’s request if it came and only knock back a deal if the Dockers were unable to come up with adequate compensation.
The club said in a statement: “Neale and his wife Jules are expecting their first child and he has confirmed the couple are weighing up where they would like to raise their family.
“He did not request a trade but has asked for some time to have further discussions with his wife and family.”
Brisbane is understanding of Neale’s position despite moving to Brisbane only three
years ago on a five-year deal because many Lions players and staff are in similar positions. Fagan has grandchildren he has only seen twice in 12 months given the restrictions of Covid.
The Neales are aware that having a baby in Brisbane with family in Perth, which is adamant it will close its borders long after the nation hits 80 per cent vaccination, will mean they have no help with their daughter for the foreseeable future.
Brisbane is not yet at the point of considering replacements for Neale given there is still some small hope he might remain.
But with Neale’s manager Tim Lawrence contacting the club post-meeting to thank them for the way it was conducted, the Lions have not burnt bridges should he decide to stay.
Fremantle must now come up with a trade that would get a deal done if Neale makes a request while also attempting to get maximum compensation for the departing Adam Cerra.
It is understood Cerra is yet to officially choose Carlton as his home given his interest in the Demons. If he had his way he would be more likely to want to join best mate Ed Langdon at the Demons but they have no first-round pick so could not get a trade done.