Lachie Neale has moved a year early to extend his contract at the Brisbane Lions through until 2026.
The new three-year deal is a big signing given Neale flirted with breaking his contract and requesting a trade to Fremantle last year, and the Dockers were expected to come again in 2022.
Neale left Fremantle at the end of 2018 and has played his best football in Brisbane. He claimed the 2020 Brownlow Medal and is the favourite midway through the season to win the coveted award again.
The 29-year-old will now remain a Lion until at least late in his career.
“The goal is definitely to hold up a cup in a Lions guernsey,” Neale said in a statement.
“The boys are really hard-working people who are trying to make themselves better and we've struck a really nice balance.
“The team’s will to improve and will to get better is first class and I feel like we're set for a really sustained successful period.
“I'd love to hold up more than one (cup) but I'd happily take one. We've come a long way and we have a group that's ready to go and we've had some experience in finals now.”
He’s been a key pillar of Brisbane’s push for a maiden premiership under Chris Fagan, averaging 31.6 disposals, 7.5 clearances and 4.5 inside 50s a game in 2022.