Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Wantaway Brisbane star Lachie Neale reportedly turned down close to $1m a season to play for West Coast, despite his children living in Perth.
Neale made the AFL’s worst-kept secret official on Wednesday when he told the Lions he wanted to exercise his free agency rights and move to Collingwood.
It comes only days after the 33-year-old played in his third premiership for Brisbane, adding to his on-field legacy which also includes two Brownlow Medals.
Neale has played 186 games for Brisbane in eight seasons, having left Fremantle at the end of the 2018 season, winning Brownlows in 2020 and 2023.
He also won four club championships (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2024) and is a four-time All-Australian.
Neale considered a return to the Dockers a few years ago for family reasons, before remaining at Brisbane to be part of a powerhouse team under coach Chris Fagan.
However, his life has turned upside down in the past 12 months with his wife Jules returning to her hometown of Perth after it was revealed Neale had an affair with her friend Tess Crosley.
It sparked constant speculation around Neale’s future, with a move to both the Dockers and Eagles seen as an option should the midfielder want to be closer to his kids.
West Coast were widely reported to be heavily in the market for Neale to add leadership and star power to their developing side, with AFL.com.au reporting that they offered him a three-year deal worth about $900,000 a season plus incentives.
It is believed to be a similar offer to that of Collingwood, the club he is set to join as soon as Friday, when the AFL’s free agency period opens.
Neale made his position official on Wednesday, ending months of speculation with the club confirming it in a statement.
Lions List manager Dom Ambrogio said Neale would depart with the club’s best wishes.
“Lachie has been a great player for the Brisbane Lions, and we thank him for his incredible contribution over his eight seasons,” Ambrogio said.
“We understand Lachie’s reasons for wishing to explore free agency, and we wish him all the best for the next chapter of his career.”
The Eagles might’ve missed out on Neale, but they’ve turned their attention to former Melbourne captain Jack Viney as they continue to look to bolster their list.
Viney has been told by the Demons they cannot guarantee him a spot in the midfield next season and to look around at other options after injuries restricted the 2021 premiership player to only one game in 2026.
The 32-year-old is believed to be in Perth this week to meet with Eagles officials and undergo a medical, with the club considering whether to bring him in given he has two years left on his contract at Melbourne.
West Coast have also been linked to Viney’s teammate at the Demons, Trent Rivers, who is weighing up whether he stays in Victoria or asks for a trade back to Western Australia.
Rivers still has a year left on his current deal at Melbourne and would be a free agent at the end of next season.
