Why family ties could convince Lachie Neale to choose the Pies or Saints

Ever since Collingwood was confirmed as a potential destination for Lachie Neale next year, heads have been scratched about why the dual Brownlow medallist would choose to be in Melbourne when the wife he separated from over summer and their kids have returned to the other side of the Nullarbor.

The distance between Perth and Brisbane is greater than the diameter of the moon. Melbourne is closer but still a four-hour flight. So why would Neale move to the southern metropolis – for either Collingwood or St Kilda (who reportedly are meeting with him this weekend) – when he could be in Perth, where Jules Neale has moved back to be closer to her family?

One factor that has been overlooked is the fact that Neale’s parents reside much nearer to Melbourne than Perth, or Brisbane, and, in one case, even closer than Adelaide (the Crows are another interested party).

Neale’s father Robbie, a highly capable country footballer in South Australia in his youth, lives in Hamilton in western Victoria, which is a tick under three and a half hours drive from Melbourne’s CBD. His mother Amanda Taylor is in Bordertown, the birthplace of Bob Hawke.

Bordertown is about five hours away by car from Melbourne, but his mother makes the trip whenever Neale plays for the Lions in Melbourne.

Melbourne, thus, has some upside for Neale, even if it is less ideal than Perth in terms of spending time with his two young kids should Jules remain there. His father, in particular, is only a short trip away by country Australian standards.

The clubs considered in contention for Neale, at this stage (and players have often decided their destination by now) are Collingwood, St Kilda, Adelaide, West Coast and the Lions, who have continued to talk the champion’s management and have been as open as possible – and supportive – about his unusual situation.

Geographically, Geelong would make some sense, but the Cats appear to have other irons in the veteran fire, such as Toby Greene, who remains unsigned by the Giants for 2027.

Fremantle, clearly more attractive than West Coast if premierships are one’s primary goal, have a stacked playing list, and one can safely guess that they wouldn’t have anything like the salary cap room of most rivals and must budget to accommodate Murphy Reid and others in the next few years.

For Collingwood, the major appeal of Neale is that he would not cost any draft capital – as an unrestricted free agent, he can just walk to another club. He would provide short-term class to a midfield that has declined from last year, despite Jordan De Goey’s burst of exceptionalism and Nick Daicos.

The Magpies intend to retain their first-round pick this year, and have a strong desire to remain in finals contention, following the Geelong model of each-way bets on the draft and seasoned recruits.

In effect, Neale can replace the raft of veterans on Collingwood’s exit ramp. They do not have a genuine inside clearance midfielder of his ilk.

The Saints, who bet the farm on four expensive signings and haven’t improved much (at 6-9, they’re beneath expectations), might as well double-down and go after another out-of-contract free agent.

Adelaide, who are chasing Neale’s teammate, and fellow free agent, Zac Bailey, would be the best match in terms of their needs and premiership prospects. They’re closer to grail now than the Pies or Saints (not to mention the Eagles). But the city of churches is closer only to Lachie’s mum.

Brisbane felt that Collingwood was favourite if Neale left, but had not given up on retaining him.

Neale’s capacity to surmount his personal travails – for which he took responsibility when stepping down from the captaincy – has been a mark of his professionalism and ability to keep his eyes on the ball.

We have marvelled at how Zak Butters has maintained extraordinary standards in a year in which he seems certain to leave his club. Neale’s performances, in the face of complicated family matters, has been arguably even more astounding.

His choice of city and club remains one of 2026’s most intriguing questions.

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