Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020

Lachie Neale Essendon interest has added a fresh layer to one of the AFL’s biggest free agency stories, with the Brisbane Lions star reportedly meeting with former Bombers coach Brad Scott about a possible move.

Neale is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season and is widely expected to leave Brisbane. Collingwood are still viewed as the frontrunners, while Adelaide, St Kilda, West Coast Eagles and Fremantle have also been linked to the two-time Brownlow Medal winner.

For more AFL retirement and player movement stories, read Jamie Cripps Retirement Opens Country Life Chapter After West Coast Eagles Farewell, while official league updates are available through the Australian Football League website.

Essendon Enter The Neale Race

7NEWS Melbourne’s Mitch Cleary said Essendon had already made contact before Scott’s departure from the club.

“I’ve still got Collingwood as the favourites for Lachie Neale when he most likely leaves the Lions at the end of this season. He’ll meet with St Kilda and coach Ross Lyon and Lenny Hayes later this weekend,” Cleary said on Wednesday night’s edition of The Agenda Setters.

“We can also tell you that Lachie Neale, in recent weeks, before Brad Scott was sacked from the Essendon footy club, met with the outgoing Essendon coach about a future at the Essendon footy club.

“And I understand there are conversations and dialogue still ongoing between the Neale camp and the Essendon footy club.”

Why Essendon Makes Sense

Essendon’s pitch appears to be built around experience and leadership. Neale would arrive as a proven premiership midfielder at a club searching for senior guidance.

“As I said, still Collingwood in front, but it just points to where Essendon sits in the market right now, looking for a senior player with experience. He would walk in at Essendon as their only premiership player right now.

“And as Brad told us, on this desk, they’ve got $3 million to splash in their salary cap.”

Tom Morris added that Neale could fill a role similar to Luke Hodge’s move late in his career.

“And my understanding is one of the considerations for Lachie Neale is to play a Luke Hodge-type role at a club like Essendon: to walk in, to rebuild it and to set it up for future success,” Tom Morris added.

St Kilda Still Loom Large

Kate McCarthy said St Kilda may be the best fit because of Neale’s history with Ross Lyon and the Saints’ need in midfield.

“They’ve got so many young players that are really improving this season. We’ve seen them grow and grow and grow, but Lachie Neale could add so much to that midfield at St Kilda.”