Lachie Neale’s future has taken another twist just 24 hours after St Kilda emerged as the latest suitors for the premiership winner.
Speculation has surrounded the Brisbane Lions star in recent weeks with a number of clubs linked to the off-contract star.
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Now AFL strugglers Essendon have emerged as contenders with a reported $3 million free in their salary cap.
“Lachie Neale, before Brad Scott was sacked, met with the outgoing coach about a future at Essendon,” Mitch Cleary said on Channel 7’s The Agenda Setters.
“I understand there is conversations and dialogue going on between the Neale camp and Essendon.
“Collingwood are still in front but it just points to where Essendon sits in the market right now, looking for a senior player with experience.
“And they have $3m to splash in their salary cap.”
“My understanding one of the considerations for Lachie Neale is to play a Luke Hodge type role at a club like Essendon,” added Tom Morris.
“To walk in, rebuild it, and set it up for future success.”
While Collingwood remain the favourites to sign Neale, he has also been linked to both WA clubs given his family circumstances.
St Kilda have also emerged as a potential destination with coach Ross Lyon and general manager of football Lenny Hayes set to meet with Neale this week.
Neale played under Lyon during his time at Fremantle earlier in his career.
“It’s my understanding Neale is expected to sit down with Saints coach and his former Fremantle mentor, Ross Lyon, this weekend,” reporter Mitch Cleary told 7NEWS.
“Neale is in Victoria to play Geelong on Thursday night and right now his future is a hot topic.”
Neale has returned to form for a resurgent Lions in recent weeks, just months after his split from wife Jules, who returned to WA with their two children, Piper and Freddie.
Neale was alleged to have had an affair with Jules’ friend, Tess Crosley, who denied the claims.
But there seems to be no chance of the former lovers reuniting with Jules removing a tattoo dedicated to Neale.
She had laser treatement to get rid of an ‘L’ on her wrist.