Lachie Neale insists he has no personal issues with Fremantle or the club’s players

[Nergal]

 

DUAL Doig medallist Lachie Neale insists he has no personal issues with Fremantle or the players despite leaving to join the Brisbane Lions.

Neale asked to be traded to Brisbane after being offered a five-year deal to play in Queensland.

Speculation had been rife that Neale had a falling out with coach Ross Lyon and that he had grown frustrated with the lack of professionalism from a group of his teammates.

But Neale said his relationships remained strong.

“Fremantle is a really professional environment,” Neale said.

“The players this year – those younger guys took a step forward and really developed. That will continue and I wish them nothing but success, except when they play the Lions.

“I’ve never been frustrated with the club. I have great relationships with all those guys (who have had off-field problems). I caught up with Harley (Bennell) not long ago.

“None of that is true. Every club has their ups and downs. I don’t think there’s an issue at Freo. I don’t know where all that came from.”

Neale denied he met with Brisbane during the season but said he became aware of the club’s interest late in the year.

Neale said he had texted his former teammates and would work through calling key people in the coming days.

“There is no reason why I don’t want to be at Freo, despite what some people have said,” Neale said.

“It was just a really good opportunity for me to head up to Brisbane and be part of a really special group. I met with the key people at the club and they’re really impressive.

“At Fremantle, there are a lot of great people there, so it’s really hard to say goodbye. But that’s the decision we’ve made.”