Seven clubs are in the race for Lachie Neale’s signature. Here’s their best free agency pitch

Lachie Neale is hot property. And so we present the Neale whiteboard (sorry to any traumatised Lions fans).

LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, pulled out a whiteboard on his podcast to map out the 41-year old NBA icon’s potential next destination.

Neale is going through his own big free agency call with several clubs vying for the services of the dual Brownlow medallist, who’s still going as strong as ever.

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It was originally thought that Neale’s uncertain future at Brisbane was largely tied to a potential return to Western Australia to be closer to his kids.

But suddenly he seems open to several options, with clubs coming from everywhere for the Lions superstar.

“Obviously my kids, it’s well documented (they) are in Perth, I’ve got my family – dad’s living in Hamilton at the moment, gets back to Robe on the weekends,” he said on Fox Footy.

“And my mum and my stepdad are on a farm on the border of SA and Vic, so it’s weighing up whether to be closer to them, closer to the kids, whether I stay in Brisbane and make that work as well, that’s definitely a chance.

“I’ve just got to weigh everything… success, finance, everything that goes along with playing footy. I’m 33 – probably don’t have that long left, so yeah, just weighing it all up.”

It’s now on those clubs to deliver the best possible free agency pitch on why he should pick them.

Unlike LeBron James’ situation, however, there’s still a possibility Neale returns to Brisbane.

With that, we run through what each of the clubs that have been linked to Neale would be pitching to the free agent.

BRISBANE LIONS

This one sells itself really... why would you want to leave?

Of all these clubs, Brisbane remains the best destination if Neale wants to prioritise chasing more on field success.

That mightn’t be the case after a couple of flags. But there’s a scenario where the Lions are aiming for a four-peat in 2027.

Even with the green shoots Brisbane has coming through, it’d still be selling to Neale his importance to the team.

As promising as the likes of Levi Ashcroft and Jaspa Fletcher are as future midfield guns, the Lions should be in no hurry to push Neale out of that on-ball mix while they’re still in the flag hunt.

The challenge is that Brisbane would almost certainly have the worst offer on the table compared to other suitors. Which is the way it should be; that you need make sacrifices to be in a better situation.

You’d also warn Neale about the added spotlight of, not only potentially going to the Melbourne bubble, but the greater scrutiny of moving clubs on a big-money deal that would come with it.

As well as the possibility of missing out on being further entrenched in football greatness and further enhancing his legacy on a side that has the chance to be historically good.

It’s not ridiculous to think Brisbane could win a couple more flags with this group, which could make Neale’s already stacked resume as good as we’ve ever seen.

Of the 17 players that have won multiple Brownlow medals, only two — Bill Hutchison and Dick Reynolds — has won more than two premierships — but none in the AFL era.

Biggest sells: Contend for more flags, legacy, stay out of Melbourne bubble

Potential 2027 midfield: Sam Draper, Hugh McCluggage, Will Ashcroft, Lachie Neale

COLLINGWOOD

The biggest club in the land will push all the glamour that comes with playing in the black and white stripes.

The marquee slots on Anzac Day, King’s Birthday and against big Victorian rivals.

The constant 80,000-plus packed houses at the MCG.

The potential commercial benefits that come along with that and how it could set Neale up for life after footy.

Plus, despite fears of a looming cliff, a team that’s been in flag contention in recent years including deep September battles with Neale’s Lions.

It’s why crucial wins like over Gold Coast last weekend are important for Collingwood to keep selling the dream that it’s a destination club to prospective targets like Neale, Zak Butters and Jed Walter.

As opposed to looking like a sinking ship.

Even if the majority of the footy world no longer sees the Pies as a bona fide contender, they’ve clearly not given up hope yet.

And we saw that spirit and passion in waves against Gold Coast, led by the likes of Nick Daicos and Brayden Maynard, in a team you’d want to play for.

Speaking of Daicos, he’s Collingwood’s single-best recruiting tool to say to targets: ‘Come play with the best player in the game’.

It’s probably the best football fit, too, given how desperately Collingwood needs to add a clearance player like Neale, who it’d see as a stopgap option to the likes of Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom.

Reports have stated that the Pies could be willing to offer as much as $3 million over three years, which has been the only such talk of any potential offers.

Oh, and Neale and Collingwood coach Craig McRae both share the same management, TGI Sport, which might count for something.

Biggest sells: Big, successful club, big offer, play with Nick Daicos

Potential 2027 starting midfield: Darcy Cameron, Nick Daicos, Jordan De Goey, Lachie Neale

ST KILDA

A reunion with Neale’s former coach, Ross Lyon, could be on the cards at Moorabbin.

The Saints have unashamedly pushed their chips in on trade and free agency targets with an eye on contending for flags in the coming years.

Part of the reason you go and spend mega dollars on the likes of Tom De Koning is to then attract another star like Neale and build your brand as a destination club.

And contrary to what some think, St Kilda has gotten better in 2026, with an improved percentage to 105.5 after it was 88.5 in 2025.

Despite the fact that Max King is yet to play a senior game this year.

Perhaps most importantly, Neale and Lyon have remained close friends since their days at Fremantle in what’s possibly the Saints’ best bargaining tool.

The sell from Lyon and company to Neale would be this ... if you’re keen to come to Victoria, we’re the club on the best trajectory with the most upside. And players want to come here.

Collingwood might have Daicos, but we have ‘Nas’ and a budding core starting to come into its own.

They could also play on the idea of going to a smaller Victorian club that doesn’t come under the same level of scrutiny as the likes of Collingwood and Essendon.

And if Neale is a bayside man, that could also add some appeal.

Throw in that Neale, 33, doesn’t need to be some saviour or over-exert himself in a midfield that’s building some solid depth with the likes of Hugo Garcia, Marcus Windhager and Max Hall next to Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.

If there’s any cash leftover from last year’s spending spree, you’ve got to imagine the Saints would be willing to splash for Neale, too.

Biggest sells: Ross Lyon connection, club on the rise, play with Nas

Potential 2027 starting midfield: Tom De Koning, Hugo Garcia, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Lachie Neale

ESSENDON

Hard to sell your vision too strongly when you don’t have a coach and have won just one of your past 29 games.

Unless, of course, James Hird has quietly been pulling a few strings in the background.

The Bombers would present a similar model to Neale to the way Luke Hodge finished his career at Brisbane.

Come provide much-needed leadership to a club at arguably its lowest ebb to make it rise back up the ladder.

It’s part of Hodge’s legacy to this day in helping build the foundations of Brisbane’s dynasty.

Heck, offer Neale the captaincy along with post-career coaching roles if you’re that keen on him.

There would be no immediate pressure for team success or expectation at the Bombers.

Neale has already won his flags and can now help build one of the game’s most famous clubs back up in a mission bigger than himself.

And a club that still plays in marquee fixtures including Anzac Day and Dreamtime at the ‘G.

Plus, Neale would have clear role to play for a Bombers midfield that is still crying out for some experience. Particularly with the likely looming departure of Zach Merrett.

If finances are a big part of Neale’s decision, the Bombers could, in theory, offer the best contract with a plethora of cap space.

You could also dangle the carrot that Essendon’s promising young crop including Nate Caddy, Archie Roberts and Sullivan Robey could carry the club to success quicker than people think.

Much like the coach that eventually gets Essendon back to its glory days, the playing group will also be put on some sort of pedestal.

Biggest sells: Best offer?, Luke Hodge-like legacy, captaincy/coaching role

Potential 2027 starting midfield: Nick Bryan, Sam Durham, Sullivan Robey, Lachie Neale

ADELAIDE

Neale was born and bred in South Australia.

But it’s unclear if there’s any real desire for the veteran, who grew up a Port Adelaide fan, to get back to his home state.

The Crows are very much into Neale’s teammate, Zac Bailey, with reports of a mega $10 million offer over seven years.

If that fell through, nabbing a dual Brownlow medallist isn’t a bad consolidation prize, but it’s hard to see the Crows getting both Lions stars.

If Neale is set on leaving Brisbane, but not to go back to Perth, the Crows are the club where he’d have the best chance of success at.

Where there’s a need to add more elite midfield talent.

While Sam Berry’s emergence has helped level up Adelaide’s on-ball unit, it’s still a position where there’s question marks on Matthew Nicks’ side.

It was a weak spot in last year’s straight-sets finals exit, hence the links to Christian Petracca and Clayton Oliver.

So you’d offer Neale a big role to bolster that midfield and do his usual thing in the clinches, feeding the ball out to the likes of Izak Rankine and Jordan Dawson.

There’s an opportunity there to win a premiership in his home state and retire a multi-time Brownlow winner and flag winner at two different clubs.

Biggest sells: Contend for more flags, home state appeal, last piece of puzzle

Potential 2027 starting midfield: Lachlan McAndrew, Jordan Dawson, Izak Rankine, Lachie Neale

FREMANTLE

Back to where it all began?

At one stage this would’ve appeared to be the most obvious destination for 2027.

He gets to be closer to his kids while still playing for a successful club in the premiership window. And one that’s dramatically enhanced its reputation in 2026 as the premiership frontrunner.

Between the family pull and club sitting on top of the ladder that won a record 14-straight games, the sell doesn’t get much easier.

A potential full circle moment for Neale to finish his career with Luke Jackson tapping the ball down his throat alongside a star-studded crop of Andrew Brayshaw, Caleb Serong, Shai Bolton, Hayden Young and Murphy Reid.

Good luck to Justin Longmuir managing the CBA usage!

Probably wouldn’t be able to get the same finances as at other clubs, but potentially the best destination — including Brisbane — to keep contending for silverware.

For Fremantle’s list is still on the younger side, with plenty of stars only coming into their prime.

If there was any bad blood with former teammates, the majority of them are gone now.

Biggest sells: Family pull, closest to a flag, full-circle moment

Potential 2027 starting midfield: Luke Jackson, Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw, Lachie Neale

WEST COAST

The other option, if Neale wants to get back to Perth.

While less enticing than Fremantle, there’s a much greater need for West Coast to add another star midfielder and more obvious role for Neale to play.

Much like Essendon’s sell, the Eagles would pitch Neale adding leadership and experience to a young group.

Imagine how much Harley Reid and Willem Duursma would benefit from having Neale alongside them in the midfield next year?

Don’t disregard the Eagles’ status as a rich, powerhouse club, either.

They had the second-most members of any club last season behind Collingwood. Not bad for a side that finished 18th!

And another club that could offer Neale the world in terms of money and even the captaincy to help lead it out of a dire period.

We’ve already seen big improvements this season in a promising direction under Andrew McQualter.

It won’t be long before they’re raiding the best WA players around the competition again.

Biggest sells: Family pull, best offer?, captaincy/coaching role

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