The future of Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale is set to become a major talking point for Western Australia's two AFL clubs, with experts urging Fremantle and West Coast to start planning immediately.
Neale, the Brisbane Lions superstar and former Docker, will be eligible for free agency at the end of the 2025 AFL season. This looming deadline means both WA-based clubs must assess their list strategies and financial positions well in advance if they wish to make a play for the champion midfielder.
The Clock is Ticking for List Managers
According to AFL insiders, the time for Fremantle and West Coast to make a decision is now, not in 18 months. List management in the modern AFL is a long-term game, and a move for a player of Neale's calibre requires significant forward planning.
Neale's current contract with the Brisbane Lions expires after the 2026 season. However, the critical date is October 2025, when he will have served eight seasons at the Gabba. This tenure grants him unrestricted free agency status, allowing him to move to the club of his choice without a trade being necessary, provided that club can meet his contract demands.
For Fremantle, the prospect of a homecoming is tantalising. Neale played 135 games for the Dockers between 2012 and 2018 before his shock move to Brisbane. His return would provide an enormous boost to a young midfield and instantly elevate the team's premiership credentials. The Dockers would need to ensure they have the salary cap space to accommodate a marquee player, which may involve making tough calls on other personnel in the coming year.
West Coast's Rebuild Presents an Intriguing Option
For the West Coast Eagles, Neale represents a potential cornerstone for their extensive list rebuild. While the Eagles are focused on youth, adding a 31-year-old elite talent in 2025 could accelerate their timeline and provide invaluable leadership and class to nurture their developing squad.
The financial aspect cannot be understated. Neale's next contract, likely to be among his last in the AFL, will command a significant salary. Both WA clubs will need to weigh the cost against the immediate on-field impact and the marketing and membership appeal of securing one of the league's biggest names.
Brisbane, for their part, will be desperate to retain their captain and best player. They will likely commence discussions on a contract extension well before his free agency window opens, aiming to secure his signature and avoid any speculation.
What Happens Next?
The coming months will be crucial. List managers at Fremantle and West Coast are undoubtedly running the numbers and modelling various scenarios. Key questions they must answer include:
- Can we create sufficient salary cap room without gutting our list?
- Does pursuing a veteran star align with our long-term list strategy?
- What is the likelihood Neale would want to return to Western Australia?
While Neale is focused on leading Brisbane to another Grand Final in 2024, the machinations behind the scenes in Perth have already begun. His free agency is not a distant possibility; it is a defined event on the 2025 calendar that requires proactive, not reactive, planning.
The decision for Fremantle and West Coast is not whether to bid for Lachie Neale today, but whether to position themselves to be credible suitors when the time comes. Failing to plan now could mean missing out on one of the most significant player movements in recent WA football history.
