Brisbane star Lachie Neale wants to remain with the Lions beyond this season, but says he\u2019s \u201cnowhere near\u201d making a final decision about his future.<\/p>\n
With the dual Brownlow medallist\u2019s Brisbane contract expiring at the completion of the Lions\u2019 2026 campaign, there has been ongoing speculation that the 32-year-old former Fremantle midfielder will return to Western Australia to be closer to his children following the breakdown of his marriage.<\/p>\n
However, ahead of his 300th AFL appearance on Sunday when the Lions meet Melbourne at the MCG, Neale has declared his preference to sign a new deal with the back-to-back premiers.<\/p>\n
\u201c(I\u2019m) nowhere near making a decision yet, but what I do know is I love this football club,\u201d Neale said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll probably try to do everything I can to stay, but if not … we will weigh all that up over the next three or four months.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neale said \u201cfamily\u201d, \u201cfootball\u201d and his \u201cown happiness\u201d would be key factors in deciding where he would play next season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot that will go into that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to win premierships every year, and next year or this (maybe) being my last year (with Brisbane), that doesn\u2019t come into it all. <\/p>\n
\u201cHopefully it\u2019s not. Hopefully I\u2019m in a Brisbane jumper until I\u2019m 36. How old is \u2018Zorks\u2019 (Lions stalwart Dayne Zorko)? 37 … I\u2019ll see how I go.<\/p>\n
\u201cI set myself up in the off-season and pre-season to have a strong year, and the body feels great, so hopefully I\u2019ve got a few years left yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neale \u2013 who produced a best-on-ground performance in Brisbane\u2019s Gather Round win over North Melbourne \u2013 was thrilled that his family would be at the MCG this weekend for his milestone game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll soak up this week with my family. It means a lot. It\u2019ll probably be a little bit emotional this week,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Neale was also happy to share the occasion with Lions co-captain Josh Dunkley, who will make his 200th AFL appearance on Sunday.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo share it with \u2018Dunks\u2019, it\u2019s a special honour. He\u2019s my favourite teammate I\u2019ve ever played with, so to run out with him in a joint milestone will be a really special day, and hopefully we can get a win for it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe love going back to the MCG. (It will be) the first time since the (2025) grand final.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019ll bring back some good memories when we walk into the rooms, but then we\u2019ll have to switch on and try to get the job done.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re coming up against A side that have played some really good footy there as well, so the Demons are going to be hard to beat.\u201d<\/p>\n