![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Neale) has got a huge decision at the end of the year on what he does coming out of contract and with everything that\u2019s going on in his personal life,\u201d Riewoldt said on Fox Footy\u2019s On the Couch.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wonder whether Lachie Neale is the perfect mentor for Harley Reid because that\u2019s exactly what Harley needed and the West Coast needed on the weekend.<\/p>\n
Lachie Neale is out of contract at the end of 2026.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that Lachie Neale could be the perfect running mate. The perfect man to teach (Reid) how to train.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Eagles were belted by Sydney on Saturday night<\/a> in a 128-point defeat where Reid was heavily tagged by Swan James Jordon and had limited involvement until his final quarter shift into defence.<\/p>\n Eagles coach Andrew McQualter then summed it up best<\/a> in just five words post-game: \u201cWe didn\u2019t help Harley enough\u201d.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n CANDID ADMISSION: Eagles superstar reveals role shift after three-year first<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018DIDN\u2019T HELP HARLEY\u2019: Coach\u2019s frank admission as young Eagles belted<\/a><\/p>\n 128-PT DRUBBING: Swans deliver woeful West Coast all-time Easter nightmare<\/a><\/p>\n McQualter on brutal 128-point loss | 08:42<\/p>\n \u201cThey haven\u2019t had a player tagged at their football club for such a long time,\u201d Riewoldt said.<\/p>\n \u201cJames Jordon went to Harley Reid and did an absolute number on him. In the first quarter, not one West Coast player laid a hand on James Jordon so Harley\u2019s out there fighting by himself.<\/p>\n \u201cI wonder if the timing is now to pull the trigger and try and entice a senior statesman to the West Coast Eagles Football Club to make sure they get the best out of Harley Reid, their generational talent.\u201d<\/p>\n When fellow Couch panellist Nathan Buckley questioned where the likes of teammates Tim Kelly, Jack Graham and Liam Baker were when Reid needed someone to step in<\/a> and help, Riewoldt said West Coast were crying out for an \u201cabsolute bona fide star midfielder\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cLachie Neale is there to get. He is there to get at the end of the year \u2013 granted he\u2019s going to be a lot older than what you\u2019d love to get him at,\u201d Riewoldt explained.<\/p>\n Swans crush Eagles by 128 points | 02:53<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a perfect time to bring him back (to WA) and go \u2018Hey! Why don\u2019t you come back and teach the next generation of superstar?\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we saw on the weekend, Harley Reid has been thrust into this leadership role. He\u2019s under the spotlight.\u201d<\/p>\n Reid finished Saturday night\u2019s 128-point loss as the 44th ranked player on the ground \u2013 at a time where West Coast\u2019s latest No.1 pick Willem Duursma was ranked 7th.<\/p>\n But Buckley believes it\u2019s part of the learning process for Reid and the Eagles.<\/p>\n \u201c(Reid) is a different cat \u2026 You\u2019ve just got to continue to work with him,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s pretty hard when your team is down 100 points \u2013 all the focus still goes to Harley Reid. When your team wins, the focus goes to Harley Reid so he\u2019s going to have to naturally deal with that as he goes along.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s in his third year! I think his start to the season has been pretty strong.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve just got to pump the breaks and give him a bit of time.<\/p>\n \u201cThe better the team goes, the better he\u2019s going to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Andrew McQualter goes to star Harley Reid at the break.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n McQualter has previously conceded he\u2019d be \u201copen\u201d to a play for Neale should the ex-Lions skipper want to return to WA.<\/p>\n \u201cLachie\u2019s had an incredible career. He\u2019s an incredible player. So I think that we\u2019re always on the lookout for players that will help our team,\u201d McQualter told afl.com.au<\/a> back in February.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll stay open to that.\u201d<\/p>\n The man himself failed to commit to the Lions beyond this season when speaking at a press conference back in January at a time his personal life was making national headlines.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, I\u2019m going to be here for this season coming up and I\u2019m fully committed to putting everything I can into footy and I can\u2019t wait to get into training and I\u2019m looking forward to it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has also stated he wouldn\u2019t keep Neale in Queensland should the star wish to be closer to his children<\/a> who are currently based in WA.<\/p>\n Lachie Neale speaks to media back in January.Source: Supplied Source Known<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not going to hold anyone to ransom,\u201d he said at the time.<\/p>\n \u201c(Neale) 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.\u201d<\/p>\n