Fremantle Dockers CEO rebuffs potential Lachie Neale trade

[Ulquiorra]

FREMANTLE chief executive Steve Rosich has delivered an initial rebuff to Brisbane’s audacious bid to lure contracted midfielder Lachie Neale, declaring the Dockers wanted to trade in players, not trade them out.

The West Australian understands the Lions have put a lucrative multi-year deal to Neale, who is contracted to Fremantle until the end of the 2019 season when he will become a restricted free agent.

Neale is said to have had some interest in the deal, but has not told Fremantle he wants to be traded.

Earlier this week he told a press conference he believed the Dockers had taken steps forward this year and he was looking forward to seeing similar improvement next year.

Rosich, who is the club’s acting list manager following the departure of Brad Lloyd to Carlton, delivered a measured response to speculation on Neale’s future yesterday.

“We don’t comment on speculation but Lachie is a valued and respected player at our football club.

“He is contracted for 2019 and as recently as Tuesday in a media conference expressed his positivity about the club,” Rosich said.

“We are in a mode of bringing players to our football club not trading players out.”

In the free agency era, clubs have been known to trade contracted players if they believe they will leave at the end of their contracts or if the deal on offer is too good to refuse.

The Dockers last year secured the second pick in the national draft on the trade deadline for Lachie Weller, who was also contracted but wanted to join Gold Coast.

Brisbane’s best pick in this year’s national draft in November is likely to be No.5, which is not unlikely to sway Fremantle. It would help the Dockers address a dearth of selections but at the cost of their best performed player of the last three years.

Neale won the Doig Medal in 2016 and would be considered an equal favourite alongside David Mundy to win this year.

Neale gave no hint earlier this week he might be pondering a move. “I have just focused on this season. I love this footy club and I will let that play out in due course,” he said.

He labelled 2018 inconsistent but “a step in the right direction” for the Dockers.