- Believes Neale may be leaving the two-time defending premiers
An AFL great has made a bold prediction about Lachie Neale’s future, declaring this season could be the superstar midfielder’s last in Brisbane as speculation swirls following his very public marriage breakdown.
Former Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd believes Neale could return to WA at season’s end, with the two-time Brownlow Medallist entering 2026 as an unrestricted free agent amid scrutiny over his split from Jules.
‘It sounds like he’s going to be the last year he plays for the Brisbane Lions, to get back to be closer to his family in WA,’ Lloyd told 3AW.
Neale, 32, stepped down as co-captain of the Brisbane Lions in January after acknowledging he had ‘let my family down’ following allegations he had an affair with a family friend.
He later said: ‘I have let my family down and I apologise for my actions.’
Jules has since relocated to Perth with the couple’s two young children, while Neale has moved into an apartment in Brisbane and is preparing for the Lions’ premiership defence.
AFL legend Matthew Lloyd predicts 2026 could be Lachie Neale’s final season at Brisbane
Neale stepped down as Lions captain following his high-profile marriage breakdown
Lloyd insisted the on-field impact would be minimal, backing Neale’s professionalism despite what he described as a ‘massive storm’ around him.
‘He’s a professional. Players are very good at moving on. There’s been a massive storm around him, but players are very good at being able to [focus on the team],’ Lloyd said.
‘Neale is going to do his thing. He’s going to get 25 to 30 touches a week.’
But the AFL legend warned the real danger lies in Brisbane’s start to the season.
‘It’s more what happens early in the season. Lachie Neale would want them to be winning games early,’ he said.
‘Otherwise, we are going to be talking a lot about the distraction.’
Lloyd also supported the decision to remove the captaincy, saying: ‘Taking the captaincy off him was the right move because you lose respect.’
While Lloyd cast doubt over Neale’s long-term future in Queensland, Lions coach Chris Fagan has struck a more measured tone.
Lloyd said Neale remains professional despite the ‘massive storm’ surrounding him
Jules Neale relocated to Perth with their two children after the separation in December, 2025
‘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’ll do that with our blessing,’ Fagan said last month.
‘We’re not going to hold anyone to ransom. We’ll just go along with the flow on that.’
West Coast coach Andrew McQualter says his club is ‘open’ to recruiting Neale, fuelling WA homecoming rumours, with Fremantle also linked.
For now, the Lions remain premiership favourites and Neale remains a central figure in their midfield. But with his contract expiring and his family based in Perth, the questions refuse to go away.
And if Lloyd’s call proves accurate, 2026 may mark the final chapter of Neale’s glittering Brisbane career.
