Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir is open to welcoming Lachie Neale back to the club at the end of the 2026 season.
It has been strongly hinted that the two-time Brownlow Medallist will depart Brisbane and return to Perth at the end of the season due to the very public split between him and his wife Jules, who has returned to Western Australia with their kids.
Neale has won back-to-back premierships as Lions captain, but has stood down from the role in the aftermath of the off-field drama.
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Lachie Neale speaks to the media, stepping down as Brisbane captain. Getty
Naturally, this has led to speculation about the 32-year-old’s future beyond this season. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has already given his public blessing for him to do whatever is best for his family at the end of the season.
Neale began his career at the Dockers, playing 135 games and twice winning the club best and fairest, before departing for Brisbane.
Longmuir, who never coached Neale himself, says there is a lot of water to go under the bridge, but wouldn’t rule out a pursuit in the summer.
“I wouldn’t say I wouldn’t entertain it,” the Freo coach told 9News Perth.
“But I don’t really see it as my job, especially at this time of the year. He’s a contracted player at another club and I haven’t really put any time into thinking about 2027, let alone player personnel in 2027 from other clubs. I’ll let others at the club handle that.”
Justin Longmuir, coach of Fremantle. Getty
It’s a big year for Longmuir and the Dockers coming off 16 wins, but an elimination finals exit.
They have a star-studded midfield unit including Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw, Hayden Young, Shai Bolton and Luke Jackson.
Adding Neale to that mix may be an awkward fit, but likely more the good kind of personnel headache.
“That’s something we will have to look at throughout the year,” Longmuir added when asked about the potential midfield squeeze with Neale in the mix.
He averaged 26.8 disposals and 6.2 clearances per game in 2025 and played 22 games, despite a few injury niggles.
Returning to Freo and helping them lift their first premiership cup could end up becoming the final piece of Neale’s already Hall of Fame resume.
The other option for Neale would be to join West Coast, lead their young midfield and help set standards for a team hopefully beginning to emerge from a rebuild.
The Eagles will need to show they’re an attractive destination for him in 2026, coming off just one win last season.
Neale had a game-high 31 disposals and 10 clearances in Brisbane’s AAMI Community Series win over Gold Coast on Thursday night.
He and the Lions are now preparing for Opening Round, where they host the Bulldogs at the Gabba.