The Brisbane Lions' coach, Chris Fagan, has revealed that the club would support Lachie Neale's decision to return to Perth if he chooses to do so for family reasons. This comes after Neale's marriage breakdown and his decision to step down as captain to focus on his family. Fagan described Neale's action as brave and expressed admiration for his willingness to stand in front of the cameras. He also mentioned that the Lions would help the family where they could, but the personal matters were private.
Neale's wife, Jules, returned to Perth with their two children following their separation, which was marked by relentless tabloid coverage and social media posts from Jules describing a 'betrayal'. Fagan emphasized that the club's role is to support the family and that the personal issues are private matters.
The coach also discussed the potential ramifications of the breakdown for Neale's football career, stating that the club would support his decision to stay in Brisbane or return to Perth. The two Perth-based clubs, West Coast and Fremantle, would be interested in recruiting Neale if he decides to change clubs.
Fagan expressed uncertainty about Neale's future, acknowledging that he is an unrestricted free agent and that the next six to seven months will be crucial in determining his next step. He hopes that Neale will remain with the Lions but respects his decision to prioritize family.
Additionally, Fagan mentioned that the Lions will go through their normal process for appointing captains in February, with an uncertain future for Harris Andrews' role. The club is physically prepared to compete for a third successive premiership.
In other news, St Kilda has appointed Lenny Hayes as their new football manager, marking a transition into a football administration role. Hayes, a Saints great and former player, will work closely with CEO Carl Dilena and coach Ross Lyon to maintain a high-performance environment. This appointment comes after a recruiting and signing spree in 2025, with the aim of pushing the team up the ladder and into contention.
