Lachie Neale Steps Away From Lions Captaincy Amid Personal Turmoil
Right now, one of the biggest stories in AFL circles is unfolding around Lachie Neale, and it’s not about what’s happening on the field. The Brisbane Lions superstar has confirmed that he has stepped down as co-captain of the club following the breakdown of his marriage, a decision that was described as deeply personal and necessary while he focuses on his family.
Neale fronted the media to explain that he and his wife, Jules, have separated. It was acknowledged openly that mistakes were made, and an apology was offered to his family, with Neale saying he was “extremely disappointed” in himself. While specific details were not discussed, it was made clear that the situation had taken a heavy emotional toll. Rumours surrounding the split were not addressed directly, with Neale choosing instead to keep the focus on accountability and rebuilding trust.
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As part of this process, it was announced that he would immediately step down from his role as Brisbane’s co-captain and from the club’s leadership group. The decision was said to be made so time and energy could be directed toward his children and repairing family relationships. His two young children, aged four and one, are now living in Perth with their mother, which means Neale will need to travel more frequently to Western Australia.
The Brisbane playing group was informed of the change, bringing to an end a three-year co-captaincy shared with Harris Andrews, a period that included back-to-back premierships. Club officials have publicly supported Neale’s decision, with coach Chris Fagan and football manager Danny Daly backing his choice to prioritise personal matters. It was emphasised that leadership at the Lions carries high expectations, and the club agreed it was the right time to move forward with a fresh structure.
Despite everything happening off the field, Neale insisted his commitment to Brisbane remains strong. Although he is out of contract at the end of the year and will be an unrestricted free agent, it was stressed that he plans to play on with the Lions in 2026 as they chase a historic third straight premiership. Football, he said, would actually serve as a positive outlet during a difficult period.
Still, questions remain about the future. With his children based in Perth and long-standing links to former club Fremantle, the possibility of a return west has naturally been raised. Neale said that decision has not been made and will be worked through over the coming months.
For now, the focus is on healing, responsibility, and balance. Lachie Neale’s legacy as a dual Brownlow medallist and premiership leader remains intact, but this moment shows that even the game’s biggest stars are not immune to life’s hardest challenges.
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