Lachie Neale Steps Down as Brisbane Lions Co-Captain After Marriage Breakup

Lachie Neale has stepped down as co-captain of the Brisbane Lions. This decision comes after his marriage breakdown. The club is now looking at new leaders. Neale's future with the team is also being discussed.
By Newsroom | AFL, Brisbane |

The AFL landscape is currently navigating a period of significant leadership shifts, with Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale's decision to relinquish his co-captaincy role standing as a central development. This move follows a public marriage breakdown and raises questions about his future with the club and the ensuing leadership changes within the Lions' organisation. The situation also appears to have had a ripple effect across the league, with reports of a "Neale tax" impacting player travel arrangements for an upcoming State of Origin match.

Neale replacement revealed as two clubs make bold captain calls; ex-Blue given lifeline — AFL Daily - 1

Personal Circumstances Impacting Club Leadership

Lachie Neale, a decorated player with two premierships and two Brownlow Medals to his name, officially stepped down as co-captain of the Brisbane Lions on January 2, 2026. This decision was directly linked to a tumultuous and public marriage breakdown. Neale publicly acknowledged he had "let my family down" during a press conference held on the same day he announced his resignation from the captaincy.

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Neale replacement revealed as two clubs make bold captain calls; ex-Blue given lifeline — AFL Daily - 2

  • Neale's wife, Jules Neale, has publicly stated her marriage ended due to "unimaginable betrayal," alleging an affair between Lachie Neale and a former friend. She has since relocated to Perth.

  • The breakdown has led to Neale's marital home in Brisbane being listed for sale.

  • Neale's personal situation has prompted consideration of his future at the club, particularly his proximity to his children who are now in Perth.

Leadership Vacuum and Potential Successors

The vacancy created by Neale's stepping down has spurred discussion and speculation regarding the next captaincy arrangement for the Brisbane Lions.

Neale replacement revealed as two clubs make bold captain calls; ex-Blue given lifeline — AFL Daily - 3

  • Forward Charlie Cameron has publicly endorsed Harris Andrews to be the sole captain, noting Andrews' exemplary role modeling for younger players. Cameron also indicated that Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage, the current vice-captains, might be considered for elevated leadership roles.

  • Article 2 suggests that either Josh Dunkley or Hugh McCluggage will be elevated to co-captain status alongside Harris Andrews, aiming for a fourth consecutive Grand Final and a third consecutive premiership.

  • Dunkley, who joined the Lions in 2022, has already drawn comparisons to AFL legend Luke Hodge for his personality and on-field presence.

Club's Stance and Future Considerations

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has expressed support for Neale, regardless of his playing future.

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Neale replacement revealed as two clubs make bold captain calls; ex-Blue given lifeline — AFL Daily - 4

  • Fagan hopes Neale will remain with the Lions, but acknowledged that as an unrestricted free agent, Neale has the option to move back to Perth to be closer to his children, a decision the club would support.

  • Neale's potential departure could prompt interest from Western Australian clubs, with West Coast Eagles reportedly open to pursuing him to bolster their young list.

  • Despite the personal challenges, Neale has demonstrated resilience, with reports of him playing in the 2025 Grand Final after a swift recovery from a calf injury.

Broader League Impact: The "Neale Tax"

The significant personal events surrounding Lachie Neale have, intriguingly, been linked to logistical changes for other players.

  • Insiders have reportedly dubbed a new travel cost associated with players travelling to Perth for the upcoming AFL State of Origin clash as the "Neale tax."

  • This phenomenon is attributed to the widespread attention on Neale's marriage breakdown, suggesting that increased scrutiny or planning might be impacting travel arrangements or associated costs for players and their partners heading to Western Australia.

Evidence

  • January 2, 2026: Lachie Neale announces his resignation as co-captain, citing personal failings. (Articles 4, 10, 11, 15)

  • Early January 2026: Neale's wife, Jules Neale, publicly discusses the end of their marriage. (Articles 6, 7, 11, 14, 15)

  • Weeks preceding January 2026: Speculation and discussion around Neale's potential successors and future. (Articles 1, 2, 9)

  • Recent Weeks: Reports of the "Neale tax" impacting player travel for the State of Origin. (Article 14)

  • September 25, 2025: Lachie Neale plays in the Grand Final despite a recent calf injury. (Article 5)

Expert Analysis

  • AFL great Matthew Lloyd predicts that this season might be Neale's last with the Brisbane Lions, suggesting a move back to Western Australia to be closer to his family. (Article 9)

  • Coach Chris Fagan has stated the club would support Neale if he chose to move to Perth for family reasons. (Article 7)

  • Josh Dunkley is seen as a potential future leader, with comparisons made to Luke Hodge. (Article 2)

Conclusion

Lachie Neale's decision to step down as co-captain of the Brisbane Lions is a direct consequence of his widely reported marriage breakdown. This event has created an immediate leadership question for the club, with Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage positioned as likely candidates to share captaincy duties with Harris Andrews. Furthermore, Neale's personal circumstances have cast a shadow over his future at the club, with a potential move to Western Australia being openly discussed and supported by his coach. The situation has also led to an unusual league-wide consequence, the "Neale tax," which seemingly affects player travel logistics for an upcoming major event. The coming months will likely clarify Neale's playing future and the Brisbane Lions' finalised captaincy structure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Lachie Neale step down as captain?
Lachie Neale stepped down because of his marriage breakdown. He said he let his family down.
Q: What does this mean for the Brisbane Lions' captaincy?
The club needs to choose new leaders. Harris Andrews is likely to be captain, with Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage possibly taking on bigger roles.
Q: Will Lachie Neale stay with the Brisbane Lions?
It is not clear. His coach said the club would support him if he wants to move to Perth to be closer to his children. Other clubs might want to sign him.
Q: What is the 'Neale tax'?
The 'Neale tax' is a new term for extra costs or planning for players travelling to Perth for a game. It is linked to the attention on Neale's personal situation.