Rumour Neale-y premiership time! (was: Neale before the Lions!)

[Kernel Kurtz]

Of course. But there's a long way to go, and if we dig our heels in ...

My guess is that our club won't want him around and will advocate get rid of him and take the hit if necessary.

Imagine his teammates are experiencing the range of wtf confusion we are feeling *100.

Do you go to the awards night? Will be a lot of people watching them closely.

Funny thing is I have only feelings of optimism over this whole thing, and a realization that players come and go.
We are not the vulnerable club we used to be .
He's an important cog to our machine , but by no means irreplacable, .
If he is contemplating going back for the reasons he is claiming then so be it.
Does he want his cake and eat it too, yeh well probably .
But you know what, there maybe more to their personal life than what we know so how can we judge them, unless we know all the facts.


On a different level , if player movement is on the increase like in other codes then we may see the front loaded contracts being less likely to happen.
Take that out of this equation and it makes it easier to cop, not that I believe this is their motivation.

 

[ManeMan]

I knew that MM, I was being facetious, I think BRAB ? would have known that as well.

My bad. Play on.

 

[Ceebee]

Seems to be pretty tight with the group. Went on the end of season trip with a bunch of the blokes and their partners up to makepeace island. He does seem to be a slight introvert at times. Absolutely nothing wrong with that though. I think you will find a few blokes at the club are the same. Starc being one. Lives alone with his dog and absolutely loves it. Very different to the Berry’s and Clugs of the team. I honestly believe he has fully bought in and given it his all. Same with Jules. Covid has done a heap

Jules seems to have close ties with some of the partners and also her workmates.
Its a shame the journo leaked this ,has made them look really bad .
They seem decent people really just trying to think of their future in uncertain times .
I wish them both well .

 

[LIONS08]

Jules seems to have close ties with some of the partners and also her workmates.
Its a shame the journo leaked this ,has made them look really bad .
They seem decent people really just trying to think of their future in uncertain times .
I wish them both well .

Could not agree with this more. Added pressure that is just not needed

 

[Cockliff38]

Jules seems to have close ties with some of the partners and also her workmates.
Its a shame the journo leaked this ,has made them look really bad .
They seem decent people really just trying to think of their future in uncertain times .
I wish them both well .

Not sure you can blame the journo - the story is what it is. To his credit Ryan at least waited until after we were out of finals.

 

[JasRulz63]

Freo are definitely interested. Just listened to their CEO on 6PR in Perth - he could not have sounded much more keen. This is on.

Link to the interview

Garlick (Freo CEO) is talking about Neale from 24 minutes onwards.

On the topic of whether Neale fits their list management strategy: "It's an interesting thought Haze. I mean the reality is, if you pull it apart, forensically, it's well regarded that we have strong coverage in that area, inside mids.

But the reality is also that a player of that ilk, or that quality is something you'd be pretty enthusiastic to look at closely

...having midfield depth has been a bit of a premiership trait for clubs in the past so it's certainly something we'd consider closely."

Then goes on to talk about being objective about trading players in and out, in terms of being competitive long term.

Regarding being a big player at the trade table: "We've got a preference to hit the draft, as a priority. Now clearly, there's circumstances which might enliven a tilt from, or a slight divert from that strategy as an overriding philosophy when there's players of outstanding character and capability, that's something we'd consider. But our overriding preference is in and around the draft and that's what we'll continue focussing on."

 

[Lace Out]

Link to the interview

Garlick (Freo CEO) is talking about Neale from 24 minutes onwards.

On the topic of whether Neale fits their list management strategy: "It's an interesting thought Haze. I mean the reality is, if you pull it apart, forensically, it's well regarded that we have strong coverage in that area, inside mids.

But the reality is also that a player of that ilk, or that quality is something you'd be pretty enthusiastic to look at closely

...having midfield depth has been a bit of a premiership trait for clubs in the past so it's certainly something we'd consider closely."

Then goes on to talk about being objective about trading players in and out, in terms of being competitive long term.

Regarding being a big player at the trade table: "We've got a preference to hit the draft, as a priority. Now clearly, there's circumstances which might enliven a tilt from, or a slight divert from that strategy as an overriding philosophy when there's players of outstanding character and capability, that's something we'd consider. But our overriding preference is in and around the draft and that's what we'll continue focussing on."

Slight diversion from going to the draft doesn’t really sound like giving up a first round pick

 

[lioninthesand]

Has Lachie become an embedded player within the group - does he really belong or is he a bit of a loner?

I think he is liked and admired. But no, he seems to be a bit detached, especially this year.

 

[Nuggo]

Slight diversion from going to the draft doesn’t really sound like giving up a first round pick

That statement swings the door wide open for me.

 

[Quigley]

Slight diversion from going to the draft doesn’t really sound like giving up a first round pick

Slight diversion could mean taking one first rounder and not two. Neale trade is not getting done without 6 or 8 being in the equation.

 

[Lace Out]

Slight diversion could mean taking one first rounder and not two. Neale trade is not getting done without 6 or 8 being in the equation.

Doesn’t sound slight to me

 

[jackess]

Wouldn't believe a word either club is saying. It's all part of the negotiations. They're not going to be the slightest bit transparent.

 

[Quigley]

Plus you know the other team is reading it. You don't want to tip your hat and say you are all in.

The message there was that they are interested but don't want to give up too much.

The Lions messaging is that we will consider it but we need a good deal.

Ducks and drakes at this stage.

 

[JasRulz63]

Wouldn't believe a word either club is saying. It's all part of the negotiations. They're not going to be the slightest bit transparent.

I'm actually surprised at how strongly Garlick came across. I thought they'd play down their interest a lot more.

 

[jackess]

I'm actually surprised at how strongly Garlick came across. I thought they'd play down their interest a lot more.

Definitely different to our 30 word press release on Monday

 

[Gadzorks]

Definitely different to our 30 word press release on Monday

They've had a lot more time to prepare their answers.

 

[Ceebee]

Not sure you can blame the journo - the story is what it is. To his credit Ryan at least waited until after we were out of finals.

How generous of him .

 

[martinson]

If as seems likely we only got the inkling on Sunday it's now only Wednesday so there's a bit to work through if we're not totally convinced he's going . Plus we need to cover our backsides so even more to work out the contingency plan in the likely event he is. There are other players in our group to consider as well depending on the outcome.

A lot to get through but I'm sure they'll know by now whether Fremantle is in or not. In which case Lachie is probably in as well.

I feel sorry for Fages . You work your clacker off for 3 years , get great results that indicate the best could be ahead and your best player potentially wants out.

 

[Lace Out]

Wouldn't believe a word either club is saying. It's all part of the negotiations. They're not going to be the slightest bit transparent.

I know,it’s amusing..why I commented

 

[Nuggo]

I reckon Freo would be thinking that Neale will get them into the top 8 and I reckon we will want to hold onto him to make sure we stay in the top 8.

If he does go it does throw up questions to where we will finish next year and when to off load our 2022 first round pick.

 

[mattsmob]

If as seems likely we only got the inkling on Sunday it's now only Wednesday so there's a bit to work through if we're not totally convinced he's going . Plus we need to cover our backsides so even more to work out the contingency plan in the likely event he is. There are other players in our group to consider as well depending on the outcome.

A lot to get through but I'm sure they'll know by now whether Fremantle is in or not. In which case Lachie is probably in as well.

I feel sorry for Fages . You work your clacker off for 3 years , get great results that indicate the best could be ahead and your best player potentially wants out.

I get that he’s been our best player by a fair margin over the last 3 years but how much longer would that continue? Even during this year I’ve gotten the feeling that if Hugh and Lachie played their best games I’m probably taking Hugh’s.

 

[jackess]

I reckon Freo would be thinking that Neale will get them into the top 8 and I reckon we will want to hold onto him to make sure we stay in the top 8.

If he does go it does throw up questions to where we will finish next year and when to off load our 2022 first round pick.

I was thinking about what impact it could have on the value of next years first. I think if we have a good run with injuries we should be able to cover for him ok.

 

[martinson]

I get that he’s been our best player by a fair margin over the last 3 years but how much longer would that continue? Even during this year I’ve gotten the feeling that if Hugh and Lachie played their best games I’m probably taking Hugh’s.

I know a lot of people think that but I actually think the best of Neale is ahead. He just prepares so meticulously and is so professional. To come back and do what he did in that Melbourne final after the significantly interrupted year he had right from the pre season shows that he is elite. And just so consistent.

 

[jackess]

I know a lot of people think that but I actually think the best of Neale is ahead. He just prepares so meticulously and is so professional. To come back and do what he did in that Melbourne final after the significantly interrupted year he had right from the pre season shows that he is elite. And just so consistent.

But do you think that level of mental application is sustainable? Especially after starting a family and as his body deteriorates.

 

[ForzaRoma]

Jules seems to have close ties with some of the partners and also her workmates.
Its a shame the journo leaked this ,has made them look really bad .
They seem decent people really just trying to think of their future in uncertain times .
I wish them both well .

They have made themselves look bad. No sympathy from me given they went behind the club's back by talking to an opposition coach. The club has staff that aim to help the welfare of their players and partner, and they didn't go to them once. Neale also could have spoken to Fagan anytime during the year and expressed his thoughts about moving back to Perth. I believe they are doing this simply because of money, and the fact that Neale didn't even bother once with west coast (who conveniently have a tight cap) only speaks further to that. Covid was also a much greater problem last year, yet Neale didn't once think about proposing a trade, which again is convenient because last year his contract was still front ended. Stop defending a player who has shown no respect to the club. He did this to Fremantle, and he's doing it to us. There's a clear pattern here and Neale should have been much better about this. He had every chance too, but chose not .