St Kilda might have splashed the cash over the 2025 off-season, but it hasn't quite gone to plan.

Acquiring all of Liam Ryan, Sam Flanders, Tom De Koning and Jack Silvagni over the trade and free agency period last season, St Kilda’s plan to stop at nothing in order to progress up the table was made incredibly evident.

Now, sat in 12th place with just six wins from their first 15, the Saints are well and truly falling behind the mark.

To make matters worse, recruit Sam Flanders is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, while Tom De Koning (punctured lung) and Jack Sinclair (high-grade calf) are both set to miss significant time.

With the 2026 season slowly slipping away, the Saints must face the acquisition period fiercely once more, particularly given superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera will enter the last year of his two-year extension in 2027.

Luke Hodge believes he knows just the man to target.

“I didn’t think St Kilda were going to do much this year,” Hodge told SEN Whateley.

“Too many people brought in who you expected too much from. I felt they were going to get better as the season went on – that’s probably not going to happen with a lot of the injuries that they’ve got.

“Obviously, Jack Sinclair is a massive loss. Tom De Koning might give Rowan Marshall a bit more chance to go into the ruck which he loves to play and is exceptional at.

“I feel, for the list that they’ve got, they always spoke that it’s going to be two, three, four years away… I’d go and chase Lachie Neale.”

Neale, whose current deal at Brisbane is set to expire at the conclusion of the 2026 season, is arguably the competition’s most wanted man next season.

The two-time Brownlow Medallist and two-time premiership captain has a rumoured three-year, potentially $3 million contract on the table from Collingwood, while Fremantle and Adelaide are also rumoured to be right in the mix.

That said, reports also suggest that the Saints are well and truly up for the fight to secure the 33-year-old’s services.

“I know it’s been touted that he might go to WA, he might stay in Brisbane, he might even go to Adelaide because he’s got family over there,” Hodge continued.

“Ever since Collingwood got involved and they offered him a long-term deal, why wouldn’t St Kilda double down?

“If you’ve got these younger guys… you’ve got Marcus Windhager, you’ve got Hugo Garcia, you’ve got Max Hall, these young guys who are starting to have an impact.

“Why wouldn’t you bring in someone who is still as good as anyone? His form this year has been exceptional. He put in the time and effort over the pre-season.

“He brings in that attitude next year… go and chase him! Go and ask the question. Go and throw something at him.

“You’ve shown that you’ve got the capabilities and the potential to go and offer big contracts to players that can change the culture of your football club. He can do that.

“I’d be doubling down. You got in Jack Silvagni, you got in Sam Flanders, you got in Liam Ryan, you got in Tom De Koning. You’ve got Nas there for at least another year, you’ve got Sinclair.

“Max King – who knows with King. He could be back as your full forward, and fingers crossed he has a bit of luck with his injuries.

“I tell you what, it would be a dangerous side if you throw Lachie Neale into that mix.”

Another former Lion, Alastair Lynch, believes Neale won't be at the club next year, even if the midfielder himself has not stated publicly that he wants out.

“I suppose the thing to qualify this is have you heard him say any of this?,” Lynch said on SEN Tassie Breakfast.

“I don’t think he’s ever said that he wants to go to WA, I don’t think he’s ever said that he wants to go to Collingwood or St Kilda which is being reported now.

“I think it would work out quite nicely for the Brisbane Lions. Lachie is probably leading their best and fairest this year as well. He’s a star player, won two Brownlow Medals and led the team to a couple of premierships and three Grand Finals.

“I think the Brisbane Lions shake hands and say thanks for one of the great partnerships, and he goes to wherever he wants to go. Whether it’s a family move to go back to Western Australia or it is go to Melbourne to try something different.

“The salary cap squeeze on the Brisbane Lions means shake hands and move on, because you’ve got this flood of young players coming through that are going to have get paid. You’ve got to retain Zac Bailey and then there’s Logan Morris and players coming out of contract periodically.

“I think there’s almost no chance Lachie Neale will be at the Brisbane Lions next year.”

Neale is averaging over 30 disposals and seven clearances a game with the Lions this season, with a major decision to make at the conclusion of his eighth season in Brisbane.