Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has intimated star midfielder Lachie Neale could spend time in a different role, should he choose to stay at the Lions beyond this season.
Speaking ahead of Neale's 300th game on Sunday, when the Lions travel to the MCG to take on the Demons, Fagan said the 32-year-old's midfield minutes may be reduced in the future, to allow younger players exposure in the thick of the action.
"Lachie's of the mindset that as he gets older, that he's there to help the younger ones come through, too," Fagan said.
"He's very aware of that fact, and I think he's also very aware that as he gets a little bit older, he might have to play a slightly different role than just being the bloke that goes in the middle all the time.
"He might have to play a little bit forward... but he's a clever footballer. I always say a good footballer is a good footballer, wherever you put them."
Fagan may not have to worry about having this conversation, as Neale comes out of contract at the end of the year, and there is speculation he could seek a move to Western Australia to be closer to his kids, following the recent breakdown of his marriage.
Neale this week said his preference is to remain in Brisbane, but he is "nowhere near" making a final decision about his future.
"I'm very, very, very hopeful that if he doesn't make the choice to go back to Perth to be with his family, that he stays with us," Fagan said.
Fagan would love for the Lions to hang onto Neale, as well as star utility Zac Bailey, who is the subject of big-money offers throughout the league. Brisbane has put a six-year, multi-million-dollar deal to Bailey, while Adelaide - just one of the many clubs interested in the 26-year-old - is believed to have tabled a seven-year offer, worth around $10 million.
"As a coach, I don't want the boys to leave for big money," Fagan said.
"I was fortunate enough to be at Hawthorn for a long time there and we won four premierships there.
"That's what the players did, and what they get is everlasting memories and togetherness from achieving great things together. Sometimes that's more important in life than your bank balance.
"I'm not saying money is not important, but I think there's a balance in all those things.
"What do you want out of the sport? Do you want success, or do you want money? That's, I guess, a constant battle in the in the minds of a lot of young players, particularly the good ones who are getting big offers."
Neale has been one of the premier on-ballers in the league across the past decade. He has won two premierships (2024, 2025), two Brownlow Medals (2020, 2023), a Leigh Matthews Trophy (2020), a Gary Ayers Medal (2024), four All-Australian jumpers (2019, 2020, 2022, 2024) and the AFLCA Champion Player of the Year Award (2020).
