FREMANTLE NOT RULING OUT MOVE FOR STAR LION
FREMANTLE chief executive Simon Garlick says the Dockers will consider a trade for Brownlow medalist Lachie Neale to return but the club’s “overriding priority” is the draft.
Garlick denied Fremantle had spoken to Neale, who departed the Dockers for the Brisbane Lions at the end of the 2018 season, since reports surfaced Neale was considering a move back to Perth.
The 28-year-old has two years to run on his fiveyear contract with the Lions but Brisbane on Monday confirmed the two-time All-Australian had spoken with club officials. He did not request a trade but asked for time to consider his future.
“I think it’s really important to note that no request to trade has been made just yet,” Garlick said.
“Clearly if it were to occur, and it’s a hypothetical at this stage, then it’s a really exciting prospect.”
Neale looms as an immediate replacement for Adam Cerra (left), who has requested a trade back home to Victoria for family reasons.
Despite the potential Cerra and Neale trades, Garlick said recruiting young talent through the draft was the “overriding priority”.