Lachie Neale: Lions star to address media after quitting as captain
Dual Brisbane Lions premiership hero Lachie Neale has stepped down as the club’s co-captain.
Neale, who has lifted the last two AFL premiership cups aloft with Harris Andrews, will vacate his leadership role for 2026.
He will front a press conference at Brisbane’s Springfield headquarters on Friday morning.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“The 32-year-old determined this was the best move for him and the club following a challenging personal period,” the Lions said in a statement about Neale’s position on Friday.
Neale has been at the centre of tabloid speculation about his marriage breaking down in recent weeks.
But AAP understands Neale was already set to step down for the upcoming season, well before his alleged relationship issues feverishly surfaced online and in gossip media in December.
At a draft function in November, the Lions faithful were told Andrews would become Brisbane’s sole captain in 2026 as the club strives for a premiership three-peat.
Neale, who sought a trade from Fremantle to Brisbane at the end of 2018, is one of the most decorated players in the Lions’ history.
In his seven seasons with Brisbane, he has claimed two Brownlow medals (2020, 2023), won four Merrett-Murray medals as the Lions’ best-and-fairest, four All-Australians and starred in two grand final wins.
Neale’s 2025 season appeared all but over after hurting his calf in the Lions’ qualifying final loss against Geelong.
But the star midfielder made a remarkable recovery to prove his fitness and was picked as sub in the Lions’ grand final rematch against the Cats.
Subbed into the grand final at the start of the third quarter, Neale’s influence was pivotal in Brisbane’s barnstorming second-half demolition of Geelong.
Neale had 17 possessions, seven clearances and kicked one classic goal to help inspire the Lions to a 47-point win.
The 294-game matchwinner is out of contract with the Lions at the end of 2026.
Neale’s wife Jules is in the process of moving back to Western Australia, where she grew up, with their two children.
The move of his family to the other side of Australia could prompt Neale to consider his future in Brisbane beyond this year.
Raised in South Australia, Neale spent seven years in Perth after being drafted by the Dockers, during which time he met Jules.
Already the most successful club of the 21st century, Brisbane have a chance to claim a second premiership three-peat to add to the one led by Leigh Matthews and Michael Voss from 2001-03.
