{"id":884378,"date":"2026-09-08T11:24:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T11:24:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/884378\/"},"modified":"2026-09-08T11:24:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T11:24:20","slug":"afl-2026-lachie-neale-called-out-for-off-field-distractions-after-the-lions-push-for-a-three-peat-took-huge-blow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/884378\/","title":{"rendered":"AFL 2026: Lachie Neale called out for off-field distractions after the Lions\u2019 push for a three-peat took huge blow"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lachie Neale\u2019s commitment has been questioned as AFL pundit Kane Cornes accused the star midfielder of not being \u201call-in\u201d on the Lions\u2019 quest for a three-peat. <\/p>\n

Neale has been the talk of the footy world for the entirety of 2026, from his highly publicised and messy marriage breakdown to his future in the AFL. <\/p>\n

But despite the numerous off-field distractions, the midfielder has been one of the league\u2019s best this season.<\/p>\n

That was until Saturday, when he looked out of sorts, managing just 18 disposals (his second-lowest of the season), just two clearances and six contested possessions in Brisbane\u2019s qualifying final loss to the undermanned Swans. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, according to Channel 7\u2019s Xander McGuire last week he reportedly rang Collingwood to see what jersey numbers are available as he edges closer to putting pen to paper on a deal to join the Pies as a free agent from next season.<\/p>\n

That came after he created headlines for touring the Magpies facility a day before a game last month.<\/p>\n

And Cornes feels Neale\u2019s behaviour shows he\u2019s not all-in at the Lions and is more focused on what his future holds than trying to help Brisbane win a third straight flag. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to say no (he\u2019s not all-in),\u201d Cornes said on The Agenda Setters on Monday night. <\/p>\n

\u201cHere are his numbers from the week, and you can have a bad game. I get it. But we were there on Thursday night, and we saw a team that was fully committed, who were all in. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Hawks. And they were prepared to physically sacrifice for their team, their teammates, their coach, their club, their supporters, in the thought that they may be able to cause a huge upset and put themselves in the box seat to win a premiership.<\/p>\n

\u201cLachie\u2019s not doing that. Lachie\u2019s touring Collingwood the day before a game during the year. Lachie, during the week, is ringing Collingwood, trying to work out what number he\u2019s going to wear at the Pies next year.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Caroline Wilson pointed out that Neale\u2019s on-field form had not seemingly been affected by his off-field dramas until last weekend. <\/p>\n

\u201cUp until the weekend, (Neale) hasn\u2019t seemed to give a toss about what\u2019s going on,\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n

It comes as Neale\u2019s personal life was again dragged back into the public forum after his ex Jules Neale and Tess Crosley went on separate podcasts to give tell-all interviews.<\/p>\n

All the while Neale has been pictured both in the sheds and out and about with his new girlfriend Emma Field. And the public nature of their budding romance, Nick Riewoldt believes, is another unneeded distraction.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has to be (a distraction),\u201d Riewoldt said about the ongoing news connected to Neale\u2019s personal life.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re three weeks away from the end of your Brisbane Lions career, and there\u2019s an opportunity to end it on the highest of all highs.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo rare air if they\u2019re able to go three in a row. And it has become a bit of a travelling circus when it concerns Lachie Neale.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is distracting. It\u2019s unusual, and it\u2019s tabloid fodder, and we understand that,\u201d Cornes added.<\/p>\n

The Lions take on Adelaide in a do-or-die elimination clash on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

Originally published as \u2018Not all in\u2019: Lachie Neale called out for off-field distractions after the Lions\u2019 push for a three-peat took huge blow<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Lachie Neale\u2019s commitment has been questioned as AFL pundit Kane Cornes accused the star midfielder of not 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