Gerard Whateley believes the “firestorm” surrounding Lachie Neale’s rumoured exit from the Lions may have played a role in Brisbane eventually holding onto the Brownlow medallist.
Reports emerged on Sunday night that Neale was considering a return to Fremantle despite having two years remaining on his current contract, kickstarting days of speculation about his future.
However, it didn’t last long as the Lions released a video on Thursday morning where Neale told fans he plans to honour his contract and stay at Brisbane.
Whateley believes that the early reporting on the 28-year old's intentions was likely a large reason why he chose to stay.
“I wonder what it looks like if this doesn’t get out, and he can calmy plot his way to Tuesday’s exit meeting and what his starting point to the conversation could be,” he told SEN's Crunch Time.
“I’ve got no doubt the firestorm helped (Brisbane).”
Three-time Brisbane premiership player Justin Leppitsch also believes the criticism of Neale walking out on his contract may have influenced the decision.
“In three days did he get ultimate clarity on what he needed to do, or was it three days of getting his head bashed in and thinking ‘I’m tired of this, I’m staying,’” he said.
“That’s the thing that everyone is gifted in life that sportspeople don’t get, and only because a certain piece of information was leaked out.”
“It comes with a lot of territory, being a public figure like that.”
However, he’s not sold the star midfielder is planning on staying at the club longer term.
"If I just say I’m staying (at a club) then there are two or three weeks I don’t have to put up with my head getting bashed in,” Leppitsch said.
“Is it a tactic now clubs have to use to bide their time?
“Otherwise, what else are you going to do, cop it for a few weeks?”
Neale joined the Lions at the end of 2018, having played his first seven AFL seasons at the Dockers.