‘Only thing I’m good at’: At home with Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale

Think you know AFL star Lachie Neale? Think again. He’s given us an exclusive look at life in his “little sanctuary”.

When you hear the name Lachie Neale, you probably picture him with a Sherrin tucked under one arm, ducking out of a pack with his usual blend of grit and grace.

But that’s the Neale you see on the big screen, under stadium lights, and with thousands of eyes locked on him.

The Neale you don’t often see is the one who’s happiest in a hoodie, coffee in hand, playlists on shuffle, just soaking up quality time with his family in their suburban home.

At home, the 31-year-old Brisbane Lions co-captain is as far from the spotlight as you can imagine.

Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale with his pooch Harley in his home. Picture: Nigel Hallett

He greets us in a casual shirt and shorts, with his daughter, Piper, 3, and dog, Harley, as he opens the door to the modern, split-level house he also shares with his wife, Jules, and their newest edition, Freddie, who is barely four months old.

The couple bought the five-bedroom property in a quiet, tree-lined street in Brisbane’s inner-east suburb of Seven Hills in 2022, and it really is as warm and inviting as Neale himself.

“It’s a nice little sanctuary,” Neale says.

Inside, the light and airy, open-plan living, dining and kitchen area is clearly the hub of the home, with skylights, soaring ceilings, and engineered oak flooring.

The daughter of Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale, 3-year-old Piper. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“It’s usually a little bit messier than this with the kids, but yeah, we’re basically down here full-time,” he says.

“Piper’s got most of her toys around here, and there’s a little hideout in there … with heaps of her toys.”

This space opens to an outdoor entertaining area with an alfresco kitchen and a glass-framed, in-ground pool.

The Neales spend a lot of time here, using the pool, watching Piper jump on the trampoline or run around the big back yard.

Inside the home of Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The lawn is immaculate, but Lachie confesses he doesn’t mow it himself.

“We’ve got an auto mower. This is little Hank who does the mowing for us. He’s my best mate!”

The beer fridge is certainly well stocked and the barbecue clearly gets a workout.

“Yeah, it’s a bit filthy at the moment! It’s probably about the only thing I’m good at in the kitchen – cooking a barbecue,” he says.

“But, yeah I love this space. Bliss Alfresco actually put this together for me. They’re a massive supporter of the club as well, so a little shout out to them.”

Piper plays on the trampoline in the backyard of the home of Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Back inside, and the pristine, farmhouse-style kitchen with a huge island is Jules’ domain.

“Jules is a bit of a master in the kitchen,” Neale says.

“I try and do most of the clean up, but with the kids as well, it’s a bit of a juggling act.

“So, after dinner, usually I’ll take Piper and bath her and stuff, and Jules will tidy up, so she does a fair bit of the heavy lifting.

“She loves this island benchtop. There’s a lot of space for preparing meals and obviously on the other side you can sit up there and have a drink, or whatever, as well, while Jules is in the kitchen. So, yeah it’s a great space for all of us.”

Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale shows around his Brisbane home. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Upstairs is his pride and joy – along with his 2024 AFL Premiership Medal – confessing he’s a sucker for a well-designed master bedroom.

“There’s obviously a lot of space in here, which we love. A nice, little sitting area to read a book or two.”

One thing that might surprise you? Neale loves a good book, particularly a crime thriller or autobiography.

The bedroom also has a front balcony, an ensuite, and a walk-in wardrobe – although not quite the calibre of David Beckham’s.

The master bedroom is spacious, with a front balcony, dressing room, and ensuite. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Then there’s his love for the outdoors, which comes from growing up on a farm in South Australia.

Neale and the family often go for strolls around the neighbourhood, or escape down the coast for a bit of beach time.

He’s also big on routine – early mornings, meditation, coffee from his go-to local spot (a long black these days).

“In the off-season, if I’m not at training or doing other things, I usually take Piper for a coffee. They give her a brownie and a marshmallow, so she’s happy.

The foyer of the home of Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I love my coffee, so I have one or two a day.”

Off the clock, Neale chases balance.

“I love to meditate,” he says.

“I feel like the mental side of the game is so important, so if I can upskill myself in my own time and research with books and what not, podcasts and stuff, I’ll do that.”

It’s clear that home comforts are important to him, and he takes pride in being hands-on at home.

Some of the books Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale is reading at the moment. Picture: Nigel Hallett

So, is this their forever home?
“It definitely could be,” Neale says.

“We’re a little bit wild and free, I suppose, in that sense. If we feel like moving, we will, but we love this house.

“We can definitely see ourselves staying in Queensland and Brisbane.

“I don’t know why we would move from here, but yeah, we’re a bit random sometimes.” ■

Originally published as ‘Only thing I’m good at’: At home with Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale