“Our job as a footy club… is to just wrap our arms around him and his family and help them where we can. Outside of that, it is a private issue. That is where we stand with it.”
Fagan said the ramifications of the breakdown for Neale’s football career would become clearer as the year progressed, and the Lions would support whatever decision Neale made – whether it meant returning to Perth, or remaining in Brisbane.
The two Perth-based clubs, West Coast and Fremantle, would be certain to entertain the idea of recruiting Neale, who played with the Dockers before joining the Lions, if he indicated a desire to change clubs.
Fagan said no one knew whether such a move would eventuate.
“I don’t know the answer to that, either,” Fagan said when asked about a potential move at season’s end.
“I hope he does [remain with the Lions] but he is an unrestricted free agent … so he can make a call on what he needs to do, and he probably needs the next six or seven months to see what the next right step is.
Neale and Fagan at the 2024 grand final paradeCredit: AFL Photos
“As I say, I hope he stays and plays with us, but if he chooses to move back to Perth because he needs to be close to his children, then he will do that with our blessing.
“We are not going to hold anyone to ransom – we will just go along with the flow on that.”
Fagan said he expected Neale to have another good season, despite the personal issues surrounding him.
“Lachie is a bloke who can zone in on what he is doing,” Fagan said.
Fagan revealed that new faces would join the club’s leadership group, with veteran Charlie Cameron also stepping away to focus on his footy, while Oscar McInerney (retired) and Brandon Starcevich (moving to West Coast) creating vacancies, too.
The Lions will go through their normal process for appointing captains in February, with Fagan uncertain whether Harris Andrews would continue as a solo captain or perhaps be joined by either Hugh McCluggage or Josh Dunkley in the role.
The Lions’ list is in good shape, physically, as they prepare to have a tilt at a third successive premiership.
“This group knows what it feels like to win a premiership,” Fagan said. “We will keep searching around for themes to motivate [the group].”
