Lachie Neale’s decision to step down from the co-captain role at the Brisbane Lions has been tipped to benefit the club with Kane Cornes claiming the premiership winner could be out the door after the season. At the start of the year, the Lions announced Neale would be stepping back from his duties as co-captain having shared the role with Harris Andrews.
The duo have led Brisbane to back-to-back AFL premierships in 2024 and 2025. But Neale’s decision comes as he faces a marriage breakdown with his wife Jules. There has been plenty of speculation over Neale’s future with the midfield ace a free agent after the 2026 season.
Kane Cornes feels the Lions will benefit from Lachie Neale (pictured right) stepping down as co-captain with the commentator tipping Neale to leave the club at the end of the season. (Images: Getty Images)
And AFL premiership-winner Cornes has suggested allowing the Lions to give the younger players more minutes and experience in a leadership role will only make the team stronger. And this could see Neale make a smooth transition away from the club.
“I think it’s an absolute win for Brisbane, from a footy point of view,” Cornes said on The Eddy Cornes Podcast. “As much as you’ll say well Lachie Neale is a dual Brownlow Medallist and his performances in both Grand Finals have been nothing short of unbelievable. I thought he was the rightful Norm Smith medallist in 2024 and his second half in 2025 with that calf injury was something that I haven’t seen the likes of.
“But now, with the young players coming through at Brisbane, there are midfield minutes that need to be given to the Ashcroft brothers and (Jaspar) Fletcher’s going to end up being a midfielder…and Lachie, at 32 with the issues now with his body, it’s the perfect opportunity at the end of this year for Brisbane to let him go. Suits his family life and head to probably West Coast or Fremantle.”
When asked on where he will end up, Cornes feels West Coast could give him an extended contract that would allow him to see out his career. And he feels it wouldn’t be a major loss for the Lions who are in a good position going forward.
“Probably West Coast you would think with where they’re at for another couple of years and extend his career,” Cornes said. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing if he leaves at the end of this year, certainly from a footy point of view and we’ll see how it effects his on-field performance this year.”
Lachie Neale (pictured second from the right) stepped down as co-captain of the Brisbane Lions.
Chris Fagan backs Lachie Neale decision
Speaking on Neale’s future at the club, coach Chris Fagan recently claimed they wouldn’t stop their star from leaving if he thought it was best for him. “I don’t know the answer to that… I hope he does (stay), but he’s an unrestricted free agent,” Fagan said in response to questions about the dual premiership star’s future on Thursday. “So he can make a call on what he needs to do. He probably needs the next six or seven months to see what the next right step is.
“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’ll do that with our blessing. We’re not going to hold anyone to ransom. We’ll just go along with the flow on that.”