Lachie Neale, the 33-year-old Australian Football League star, has reportedly not received a contract offer from the Brisbane Lions, according to AFL expert Caroline Wilson. This development comes amid speculation that some of Neale's teammates are growing weary of his behavior as his expected departure to Collingwood looms after the current season.
Wilson stated on 3AW that the Lions had anticipated Neale's exit from early in the year, initially believing he would return to Western Australia. "My understanding is that Lachie Neale was not even offered a deal in the end by the Brisbane Lions, because they've known from pretty much early in the year that Lachie Neale was going," Wilson said. "At first they thought he'd go back west, and now we know he's going to Collingwood."
These revelations surface as Neale's personal life attracts renewed attention, particularly following interviews by his estranged wife, Jules, and her former best friend, Tess Crosley. Wilson suggested that Neale has not "done himself any favours with his behaviour," referencing the public nature of his anticipated move, including reports about meetings with Collingwood and the jersey number he might wear.
"Obviously the personal life stuff has been tricky… posting stuff on social media on the day of games," Wilson added. "I just wonder whether, as good as he's been this year as a player… whether it's probably about time Lachie Neale found a new home. I reckon there'd be teammates at Brisbane who are pretty much jack of him."
There has been no official confirmation from either club regarding a completed transfer.
Neale recently delivered a strong performance on the field, accumulating 42 disposals and 13 clearances in Brisbane's decisive victory over Adelaide. The Lions secured their fourth consecutive preliminary final appearance with the win.
The public attention on Neale's personal life intensified after Jules Neale detailed her husband's four-month affair with Tess Crosley on the Pretty Sure podcast. Crosley later addressed the scandal in an interview with the Daily Mail Australia podcast, discussing the affair, the dissolution of her friendship with Jules, and the scrutiny she has faced. Crosley also touched upon rumors of a secret swinging arrangement within their friendship group, suggesting there was more to the story than publicly known, though she declined to reveal intimate details out of respect for others involved.
Crosley clarified that her friendship with Jules had lasted about a year before the affair came to light. Meanwhile, Jules Neale stated on the podcast that her husband had been unfaithful with multiple women and expressed feelings of distrust. She also mentioned initial plans to manage the separation privately, which changed after she shared a social media post about feeling betrayed.