‘Upside’ in Neale’s interest in Vic move detailed; veteran Blue keen to play on — Trade Whispers

Family ties could help convince Lachie Neale choose a Victorian-based club, while Adam Saad is “unlikely” to be at Carlton next season.

Get the latest player movement news and updates in AFL Trade Whispers!

Watch every match of every round of the AFL Premiership Season LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

‘UPSIDE’ IN NEALE’S POSSIBLE VIC MOVE DETAILED

Victorian family ties could help convince star Brisbane free agent Lachie Neale to choose Collingwood or St Kilda ... or Essendon, reports The Age.

There were suggestions earlier this year that if Neale, 33, chose to leave the Lions at season’s end, he’d most likely look to join a WA-based club considering his former partner Jules and children had moved to live in Perth.

But the Magpies and Saints have emerged as possible destinations for Neale, who’s averaging 30.2 disposals and 7.2 clearances for the Lions this season.

7News Melbourne journalist Mitch Cleary reported on Wednesday night that Essendon had flagged interest in Neale,

“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,” Cleary told Channel 7.

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

The Age chief football writer Jake Niall reported on Wednesday night “one factor that has been overlooked” in the Neale footy future discussion was the location of the midfielder’s parents.

“Neale’s father Robbie … lives in Hamilton in western Victoria, which is a tick under three and a half hours drive from Melbourne’s CBD. His mother Amanda Taylor is in Bordertown,” Niall wrote in The Age.

“Bordertown is about five hours away by car from Melbourne, but his mother makes the trip whenever Neale plays for the Lions in Melbourne.

“(Playing in) Melbourne, thus, has some upside for Neale.”

Niall also reported the Lions felt “Collingwood were favourite” to land Neale if he left, but added Brisbane “hadn’t given up on retaining him”.

While the Magpies are keen to use their natural first-round pick at this year’s draft, the idea of acquiring Neale is appealing. Not only would he fill a clearance chasm, he also wouldn’t cost the Pies any trade capital as he’s an unrestricted free agent.

Cleary reported earlier this week Neale was “expected to meet” with St Kilda coach Ross Lyon this weekend. Lyon coached Neale for the first seven seasons of his AFL career at Fremantle before Neale was traded to Brisbane in late 2018.

Neale has one of the most decorated CVs of the modern AFL era as a dual premiership player, dual Brownlow Medallist, six-time best and fairest winner and four-time All-Australian.

‘HE REALISES THIS’: BLUE ‘UNLIKELY’ TO STAY

If Adam Saad is to play on into a 13th AFL season, it’s “unlikely to be at Carlton” – and potentially at a fourth club, reports Tom Morris.

Saad, a 2022 All-Australian, had been a mainstay of Carlton’s defence across his previous five seasons at the club.

But the 31-year-old has fallen out of favour at Carlton in 2026, playing just three games across the season. He’s averaged 20.8 disposals from eight VFL games.

Speaking on Wednesday night, Morris said the out-of-contract Saad was “keen to go again” in 2027.

“Adam Saad wants to play on next year, but it’s unlikely to be at Carlton. I think he realises this,” Morris told Channel 7.

“Consider this an advertisement for Adam Saad to play on at one of the 17 other clubs next year, probably more realistically in Victoria.

“If you think he’s worth it call his management.”

The Blues parted with Pick 8 back in 2020 as part of a deal to acquire Saad from Essendon.

Saad began his career at Gold Coast in 2015, playing 48 games for the Suns before a trade to the Bombers, where he played 61 games in three seasons.

Click here to read article