Home

Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale’s father Robbie reveals ‘horrific’ response to Fremantle Dockers trade reports

Samantha RogersThe West Australian
Lachie Neale and wife Jules.
Camera IconLachie Neale and wife Jules. Credit: Quinn Rooney/via AFL Photos

Robbie Neale, the father of Lachie Neale, has opened up about the “horrific” reaction to news the Brownlow medallist was considering a move back to Perth.

Reports emerged on Sunday the Brisbane star is contemplating a move back to the Fremantle Dockers, as he and wife Jules - who are expecting their first child - are weighing up where to raise their family.

The 28-year-old spoke to the Lions the next day, with the club releasing a statement confirming the two-time All-Australian had informed them of his situation but was yet to request a trade.

MORE AFL:

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

In the days following, Robbie said his son and daughter-in-law have had paparazzi camped outside their Brisbane home and copped abuse on social media.

The Game AFL 2024

“They need a bit of support. It’s been bordering on horrific,” Robbie Neale told ABC radio in South Australia.

Lachie Neale and wife Jules.
Camera IconLachie Neale and wife Jules. Credit: Jules_Neale

“They’ve got paparazzi following them around and camped outside the house. This is not how it should have been.

“It should have been a nice quiet conversation with Brisbane and then through his management group to make the right decision and if a request was to come, fair enough, then it becomes a headline. It’s far from that at this stage.”

Robbie revealed the couple, who are expecting a baby girl, have reportedly been the targets of abuse on social media, including Instagram - where Jules has more than 17,000 followers.

“We’ll go into damage control and try to take some stress off her and tell her not to worry about social media because that is just a shocking platform,” he said.

“It does disappoint me how people are so strong in their opinions. But that’s people we don’t know. So what’s important to them is family and friends at the moment.”

Lachie Neale and wife Jules are expecting their first child in the coming weeks.
Camera IconLachie Neale and wife Jules are expecting their first child in the coming weeks. Credit: @Jules_Neale

Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick yesterday revealed Fremantle had not yet spoken to the former Docker.

“I think it’s really important to note that no request to trade has been made just yet,” Garlick told Sportday WA.

“There’s been reports over the last couple of days that Lachie and his wife are currently considering some really important decisions regarding their future. That’s something that they’ve got to work through themselves.

“With that in mind and with due respect to all parties in mind, we’re loathe to make any detailed comment at this point in relation to that.”

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails