St Kilda has entered the race for Brisbane Lions veteran Lachie Neale, adding a new twist to the speculation surrounding the two-time Brownlow medallist's future. While Collingwood has long been considered the frontrunner to secure the 33-year-old unrestricted free agent, the Saints are now making a serious play.
Meeting with Ross Lyon
According to 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary, Neale is expected to sit down with St Kilda coach Ross Lyon this weekend. The pair share a strong bond from their seven years together at Fremantle, where Neale won two club best-and-fairest awards under Lyon's guidance.
"It's my understanding Neale is expected to sit down with Saints coach and his former Fremantle mentor, Ross Lyon, this weekend," Cleary told 7NEWS. "Neale is in Victoria to play Geelong on Thursday night and right now his future is a hot topic."
Collingwood still favourites
Despite St Kilda's interest, Collingwood remains the favourite to land Neale. The Magpies are reportedly "super keen" on the midfielder, while the Lions have resigned themselves to losing him. Neale, as an unrestricted free agent, has the freedom to choose his next club without any trade complications.
Saints' 'win now' mindset
Cleary noted that St Kilda's pursuit aligns with their aggressive list-building strategy. "The Saints are clearly in the 'win now' mindset as they attempt to bolster their list," he said. The club has been active in recent trade periods, and adding a player of Neale's calibre would be a major coup.
More updates are expected as the weekend approaches, with Neale's decision likely to have significant implications for the AFL landscape.
