A Brisbane gun is leaning towards staying at the club despite heavy interest from rivals.

Lachie Neale is tipped to leave the Lions, with three Victorian sides vying for his services. One of those powerhouses has made a unique bid.

And more significant updates in the Essendon coaching search.

All that and more from media buzz...

Brisbane's Bailey

The Lions are increasingly likely to retain star Zac Bailey despite strong interest from Adelaide and Essendon.

Bailey is weighing up his free agency, and whether to exercise his rights as a gun of the competition, or stay in Queensland.

According to The Agenda Setters, the midfielder is set to stay at the Lions.

Brisbane increased its offer to Bailey in recent weeks.

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Neale likely destination revealed

Collingwood is expected to land Brisbane gun Lachie Neale, and both Essendon and St Kilda believe that.

Neale began looking elsewhere amid changes to his personal life, and the Pies have put forward a strong offer the Lions couldn't match.

The Saints and Bombers have met with the two-time Brownlow Medallist, but the pitch from the black-and-white appears too strong.

Collingwood, according to The Agenda Setters, put forward the Scott Pendlebury plan to extend Neale's career to his late 30s.

An offer of three years from the Pies is understood to have been tabled, using Pendlebury as an example that Neale could go beyond the first contract if he signed.

AFL 2028 fixture down to two options

The AFL is exploring how the fixture will look when Tasmania enter the competition in 2028, and they are down to a pair of options.

Option 1: 

  • 24-game season
  • 10 games + 6 double ups
  • 2 byes per team
  • 8-9 games per round
  • 2 neutral rounds - Gather Round stays

Options 2

  • 20 games + 3-week group stage
  • 18 games + 2 double ups (Gather and Rivalry Round)
  • Top 16 split into 4 groups of 4, played once
  • Bottom 3 - draft incentive on the line
  • Group stage sets the Final 10

Hird gives insight into upcoming Bombers meeting

Essendon coaching candidate James Hird is set to meet with the club next week.

Speaking on Footy Classified, he gave some insight into the upcoming meeting.

“I'll be catching up with them next week for a brief chat,” he said.

“I'm just glad to be a part of the process, looking forward to it, and next week sometime … I'll sit down with them.

“I got a quick text from someone at the club saying, ‘Can you catch up next week?'

“Obviously, I have thought about this a lot; I've thought about what I want to do, what I will do if I do get the job.”

Essendon consulted senior players about coaching preference

Essendon has welcomed feedback from their senior players in a bid to find the next coach.

Brad Scott's sacking opened a vacancy at the club.

Since then, players have been asked to participate in a survey to help outline necessary characteristics,  attributes, priorities and credentials.

Hold ya horses Essendon

Essendon coaching candidate John Longmire is understood to have informed the club they need to decide what they want before he enters the process as favourite son James Hird lingers in the background.

The Bombers are on the hunt for a new senior coach, and have put together a list of at least 10 names, including the flag-winning Swans coach.

However, 'Horse' won't join the process unless the club outlines what they want from their next senior coach.

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