Lachie Neale makes official call on his future amid trade rumours

Following days of speculation and backlash, Lachie Neale has finally made a decision about where he will be playing in 2022.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 21: Lachie Neale of the Lions kicks the ball during the round 23 AFL match between Brisbane Lions and West Coast Eagles at The Gabba on August 21, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Brisbane footy fans can breathe a sigh of relief.

Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale has committed to the Lions despite rumours he was eyeing a shock return to Perth.

Earlier this week, news broke that the star midfielder had reportedly requested a trade back to Fremantle, where he started his AFL career.

Neale’s wife Jules is pregnant with their first child and the couple were considering returning home to raise their young family.

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But after meeting with coach Chris Fagan, football manager Danny Daly and chief executive Greg Swann on Thursday morning, the 28-year-old announced he will be representing the Lions in 2022.

Lachie Neale and his pregnant wife Jules were considering moving back to Perth.

“I am committed and staying at the footy club,” Neale told Brisbane Lions Media.

“I think one of the biggest things as well is I have unfinished business here, I want to be holding up a cup in the Lions guernsey. I am super excited to be here and I can’t wait to play again next year.

“It’s been a whirlwind few days and everything has gotten a bit out of hand but I came in and told Fages and Danny Daly and Swanny that’s the case. So I am excited to be pushing on.

“Clearly as a lot of people know my wife is heavily pregnant. She is from WA, has a lot of family and support network in WA, but behind the scenes we had a couple of conversations about how that looked moving forward. With the Covid situation in the last couple of years it’s been really hard for her to see her family and friends, and I have got a great support network in Perth as well.

“We were half-considering the prospect of getting back at some stage but after sitting down and talking through it with our family and friends and with the club and with my management team it became pretty clear this is the best place for us to be, firstly for my footy and secondly we believe we can get the support network around us moving forward. It’s challenging times with everyone with Covid and we are no different.

“It probably got played out earlier than we thought and hadn’t put that amount of thought into it and it probably got blown out of proportion a bit and we have made that decision. We are really happy and can’t wait to get stuck into next year now.”

Lachie Neale will remain with the Lions in 2022. Photo by Jono Searle/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Neale also conceded the backlash and scrutiny on social media had taken its toll since the story leaked on Sunday.

“I has been a little bit rough, some of the stuff in the media and there will always be social media attached but we have done a great job in avoiding some of that stuff,” he said.

“It has taken its toll a bit, but I am super excited about what the future holds for us.

“We have got a beautiful baby coming in the next four weeks so we have got a lot to look forward to.”

Neale surprised the AFL world three years ago when he was traded from the Dockers to Brisbane.

He was the Lions’ best and fairest winner in his first two years at the club and also won the Brownlow Medal in 2020 in dominant fashion — 10 votes ahead of runner-up Travis Boak.

Neale has been plagued with injuries this season but showed glimpses of his best football, including a 46-disposal game against Melbourne in the qualifying final last month.

The midfielder has two years remaining on his five-year contract with the Lions.