‘He can make a call’: Fagan says Neale would have Lions’ blessing to return to WA after 2026

2 months ago 8

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan says his club would not stand in the way of Lachie Neale returning to Perth at season’s end if the unrestricted free agent chose to do so for family reasons.

The two-time premiership coach told reporters on Thursday he thought Neale’s decision to relinquish the captaincy so he could focus on family matters after his marriage breakdown was “sensible” and that the dual Brownlow medallist would be given time and space to make his decision.

Lions coach Chris Fagan pulled a masterstroke when he started Neale as a sub in the 2025 grand final.

Neale’s wife Jules returned to Perth with their two children following their separation, which followed relentless tabloid coverage of what Jules described on social media as “an unimaginable betrayal”.

Neale made a frank public statement last week when stepping down as captain. He apologised for letting family down and confronted the consequences arising from the separation while asking to be given privacy to deal with family matters.

Fagan said he admired Neale for standing in front of the cameras, describing the action as brave. He said the Lions would help the family where they could, but the personal matters were private.

“Him and his family are going through a really difficult time at the moment,” Fagan said.

“It’s a challenging time.

“Obviously [it’s] sad for Jules, sad for Lachie, sad for the children and sad it has become such a public thing.

“Our job as a footy club… is to just wrap our arms around him and his family and help them where we can. Outside of that, it is a private issue. That is where we stand with it.”

Fagan said the ramifications of the breakdown for Neale’s football career would become clearer as the year progressed, and the Lions would support whatever decision Neale made – whether it meant returning to Perth, or remaining in Brisbane.

The two Perth-based clubs, West Coast and Fremantle, would be certain to entertain the idea of recruiting Neale, who played with the Dockers before joining the Lions, if he indicated a desire to change clubs.

Fagan said no one knew whether such a move would eventuate.

“I don’t know the answer to that, either,” Fagan said when asked about a potential move at season’s end.

“I hope he does [remain with the Lions] but he is an unrestricted free agent … so he can make a call on what he needs to do, and he probably needs the next six or seven months to see what the next right step is.

Neale and Fagan at the 2024 grand final parade

“As I say, I hope he stays and plays with us, but if he chooses to move back to Perth because he needs to be close to his children, then he will do that with our blessing.

“We are not going to hold anyone to ransom – we will just go along with the flow on that.”

Fagan said he expected Neale to have another good season, despite the personal issues surrounding him.

“Lachie is a bloke who can zone in on what he is doing,” Fagan said.

Fagan revealed that new faces would join the club’s leadership group, with veteran Charlie Cameron also stepping away to focus on his footy, while Oscar McInerney (retired) and Brandon Starcevich (moving to West Coast) creating vacancies, too.

The Lions will go through their normal process for appointing captains in February, with Fagan uncertain whether Harris Andrews would continue as a solo captain or perhaps be joined by either Hugh McCluggage or Josh Dunkley in the role.

The Lions’ list is in good shape, physically, as they prepare to have a tilt at a third successive premiership.

“This group knows what it feels like to win a premiership,” Fagan said. “We will keep searching around for themes to motivate [the group].”