Alex Neal-Bullen

Neal-Bullen was born into a sporting family, where his grandma, Cheryl Neal, became the first female jockey in history to win a race in Melbourne against men, achieved in 1979.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/horse-racing/ready-for-the-final-act/2007/11/03/1193619208452.html?page=fullpage|title=Ready for the final act|last=Lynch|first=Michael|date=4 November 2007|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=9 October 2015}} Her career ended prematurely after a fall which left her in a coma for eight months and paraplegic from the waist down; his grandmother's disability was one of the reasons behind Neal-Bullen deciding to study education and disability at Flinders University during 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-13/educating-alex|title=Educating Alex: one draft prospect's year of learning|last=Twomey|first=Callum|date=13 November 2014|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=9 October 2015}}

Born and raised in South Australia, Neal-Bullen grew up supporting the Adelaide Crows.

Neal-Bullen played his junior career with Mitchell Park Football Club and the Glenelg Football Club and played nine games with the South Australian National Football League (SANFL) senior team in 2014.{{Cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/alex-neal-bullen-lands-dream-afl-draft-result-by-joining-melbourne-and-great-mate-billy-stretch/story-fni5f91a-1227140077198|title=Alex Neal-Bullen lands dream AFL Draft result by joining Melbourne and great mate Billy Stretch|last=Turner|first=Matt|date=30 November 2014|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=14 June 2015}} He attended Sacred Heart College in Adelaide.{{cite news|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/tenacious-tiger-alex-nealbullen-is-made-of-the-right-stuff-as-he-prepares-for-the-afl-draft/news-story/6b3cbc96063d61191c47faa5e0efea6d|title=Tenacious Tiger Alex Neal-Bullen is made of the right stuff as he prepares for the AFL Draft|last=Capel|first=Andrew|date=11 November 2014|work=The Advertiser|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=18 August 2016}} He achieved state selection for South Australia in the 2014 AFL Under 18 Championships and played in the winning grand final against Vic Metro, whilst also being named in the best players for the match.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-07-03/sa-u18s-go-backtoback|title=South Australia wins back-to-back U18 championships|last=Di Giorgio|first=Giulio|date=3 July 2014|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=9 October 2015}} His performances in the championships, where he was the leading clearance winner, and his performances in the SANFL led to him being regarded as an in-and-under player who made an impact on games. In addition, his athletic background placed him in the elite bracket of endurance runners{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-11/meet-alex-nealbullen|title=16 days to the draft: Meet Alex Neal-Bullen|last=Twomey|first=Callum|date=11 November 2014|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=9 October 2015}} and raised his prospects to being drafted inside the top twenty-five.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-26/late-mail-top10-bolter|title=Late draft mail: Marchbank a top 10 bolter|last=Twomey|first=Callum|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=9 October 2015}}

File:Alex Neal-Bullen 2015.2.JPG

Neal-Bullen was recruited by the Melbourne Football Club with their third selection and the fortieth overall in the 2014 national draft.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2014-12-03/stretch-anb-rapt-to-remain-teammates|title=Stretch, ANB rapt to remain teammates|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=3 December 2014|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=9 October 2015}} After a delayed start to the 2015 season through knee injuries,{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-12-19/young-dees-knee-relief|title=Demon draftee escapes serious injury after training mishap|last=Guthrie|first=Ben|date=19 December 2014|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=9 October 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-01-27/young-dee-down-again|title=Young Demon down again with knee injury|last=Guthrie|first=Ben|date=27 January 2015|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=9 October 2015}} he made his debut in round eleven against {{AFL StK}} at Etihad Stadium.{{Cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-06-12/nealbullen-to-debut-against-saints|title=Neal-Bullen to debut against Saints|last=Harrington|first=Anna|date=12 June 2015|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=BigPond|access-date=14 June 2015}} He kicked his first goal the following week in the twenty-four point victory against {{AFL Gee}} at Simonds Stadium and finished the match with three goals.{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-match-report/demons-gatecrash-corey-enrights-party-with-fourgoal-win-20150621-ghtqls.html|title=Demons gatecrash Corey Enright's party with four-goal win|last=Hanlon|first=Peter|date=21 June 2015|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=9 October 2015}} After his debut, he missed only one match for the remainder of the season and managed eleven games overall with a total of six goals; furthermore, Melbourne football operations manager, Josh Mahoney, noted Neal-Bullen had "adapted really quickly to the demands of being an AFL player" which saw him extend his contract until the end of 2017, despite being in contract for the 2016 season.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-09-25/demons-lock-in-four-youngsters-to-new-deals|title=Demons lock in four youngsters to new deals|last=Guthrie|first=Ben|date=25 September 2015|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=9 October 2015}}

The 2016 season saw Neal-Bullen spend the majority of the season playing in the Victorian Football League (VFL) for Melbourne's affiliate team, the Casey Scorpions.{{cite news|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/05/20/neal-bullen-couldnt-be-ignored-roos|title=Neal-Bullen couldn't be ignored: Roos|author=Australian Associated Press|author-link=Australian Associated Press|date=20 May 2016|work=SBS Online|publisher=Special Broadcasting Service|access-date=1 November 2016}} He played his first senior match for the season in the sixty-three point win against the {{AFL BL}} at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in round nine.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/melbourne/paul-roos-says-melbourne-players-are-learning-how-to-better-deal-with-being-favourites-heading-into-games/news-story/a38ca6a977d3f16e1523e159d97e5147|title=Paul Roos says Melbourne players are learning how to better deal with being favourites heading into games|last=Wood|first=Lauren|date=20 May 2016|work=Herald Sun|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=1 November 2016}} He maintained his spot the next week for the match against {{AFL PA}}, before being omitted for the round eleven match against {{AFL Haw}} at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-06-02/melbourne-makes-five-changes|title=Melbourne makes five changes|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=2 June 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=1 November 2016}} He was recalled to the senior side for the six point loss against {{AFL WC}} at Subiaco Oval in round eighteen{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-07-22/round-18-teams-announced|title=Teams: Young Tiger returns, Bomber rested|last1=King|first1=Travis|last2=Malcolm|first2=Alex|date=22 July 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=1 November 2016}} and was dropped the next week{{cite news|url=http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2016-07-29/vb-replaces-anb-in-the-final-side|title=VB replaces ANB in the final side|last=Burgan|first=Matt|date=29 July 2016|work=MelbourneFC.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=1 November 2016}} before playing his final match of the season in the twenty-point loss against {{AFL Car}} at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in round twenty-two, managing just four matches in his second year.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-08-19/round-22-teams-announced|title=TEAMS: Dogs drop Stringer, Cats rest two|last1=Schmook|first1=Nathan|last2=Guthrie|first2=Ben|date=19 August 2016|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Bigpond|access-date=1 November 2016}} Despite failing to maintain a spot in the senior side, he had strong form in the VFL, which saw him play in seventeen matches, and he was named in the best players twelve times.{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/team_info.cgi?action=PSTATS&pID=199622709&client=1-118-10449-392693-8069487|title=Alex Neal-Bullen|year=2016|work=VFL.com.au|publisher=Fox Sports Pulse|access-date=1 November 2016}} His performances saw him finish as the runner-up in Casey's best and fairest count, behind captain and former {{AFL GC}} player, Jack Hutchins,{{cite web|url=http://websites.sportstg.com/assoc_page.cgi?client=0-118-0-0-0&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=48440216|title=VFL 2016 best-and-fairest winners|date=20 October 2016|work=VFL.com.au|publisher=Fox Sports Pulse|access-date=1 November 2016}} and a fifth-place finish in the J. J. Liston Trophy – awarded to the best and fairest player in the VFL – with thirteen votes.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/michael-gibbons-gives-afl-chances-big-boost-by-winning-vfl-jj-liston-trophy/news-story/53ccaab451b925d3e5b52104963220e0|title=Michael Gibbons gives AFL chances big boost by winning VFL JJ Liston Trophy|last=Waterworth|first=Ben|date=13 September 2016|work=Fox Sports (Australia)|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=1 November 2016}}

Neal-Bullen's Demons, who finished first on the AFL ladder in 2021, won the premiership in the 2021 AFL Grand Final.{{cite web|title=The AFL dynasty talk driving reigning premiers… and the ace up their sleeve|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/teams/melbourne-demons/afl-news-2022-premiers-melbourne-driven-to-be-one-of-the-best-teams-ever-dynasty-alex-nealbullen/news-story/ce471afe1f074458b10cdd33c8a03185|publisher=Fox Footy|date= 2 February 2022|first=Russell|last=Gould}} He kicked a goal and had 24 disposals at Perth Stadium. Neal-Bullen was awarded with the Norm Smith Memorial Trophy – a coaches' award – at Melbourne's best and fairest awards night following their historic season.{{cite web|title=2021 Best and Fairest – All the winners|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1041822/2021-best-and-fairest-all-the-winners|first=Ben|last=Gibson|date=17 December 2021}} The Demons finished in the top four in the following two seasons, but did not win a final.{{cite web|title=Demons 'embarrassed' by straight-sets finals failures|date=26 February 2024|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1079588/melbourne-demons-embarrassed-by-straight-sets-finals-failures|website=afl.com.au|author=AAP}}

One of Neal-Bullen's best AFL performances to date came in his home state against {{AFL PA}} in 2024, when he kicked two goals along with 24 disposals.{{cite web|title=Demons hold nerve in milestone win|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1519042/demons-hold-nerve-in-milestone-win|date=30 March 2024|access-date=2 September 2024}} In his final season at the Demons, Neal-Bullen finished third in the Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy, awarded to the best and fairest player at Melbourne during the year.{{cite web|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1672220/viney-claims-second-keith-bluey-truscott-memorial-trophy|title=Viney claims second Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott Memorial Trophy|date=4 October 2024|author=}}

In August of 2024, despite being contracted at Melbourne until the end of 2026,{{cite web|url=https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1317507/neal-bullen-signs-three-year-deal|title=Neal-Bullen signs three-year deal|date=28 April 2024|website=melbournefc.com.au}} Neal-Bullen confirmed his request to be traded to his home state of South Australia for family reasons.{{cite news|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1195556/premiership-melbourne-demon-alex-neal-bullen-requests-trade-home-to-south-australia|title=Premiership Demon requests trade home to South Australia|date=14 August 2024|work=afl.com.au|publisher=AFL|access-date=14 August 2024}} After the conclusion of Melbourne's failed 2024 season, he would nominate {{AFL Ade}} as his preferred destination, the request made official by the Crows a few weeks later.{{cite web|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1644728/club-statement-alex-neal-bullen|date=2 September 2024|website=afc.com.au|title=Club Statement: Alex Neal-Bullen}} He was traded on 7 October, the first day of the 2024 trade period.{{citetweet|user=AFL_House|number=1843144247278477722|date=7 October 2024|title=Paperwork approved.}}{{citeweb|url=https://www.afc.com.au/news/1674092|author=|date=7 October 2024|title=Neal-Bullen joins Crows|location=Adelaide FC|access-date=7 October 2024}}

Updated to the end of 2024.{{cite web|url=http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/A/Alex_Neal-Bullen.html|title=Alex Neal-Bullen|work=AFL Tables|access-date=7 October 2024}}

{{AFL player statistics legend|p=y}}

{{AFL player statistics start with votes}}

|-

| 2015 || {{AFL Mel}} || 30

| 11 || 6 || 4 || 60 || 44 || 104 || 20 || 26 || 0.5 || 0.4 || 5.5 || 4.0 || 9.5 || 1.8 || 2.4 || 0

|-

| 2016 || {{AFL Mel}} || 30

| 4 || 2 || 0 || 19 || 37 || 56 || 9 || 11 || 0.5 || 0.0 || 4.8 || 9.3 || 14.0 || 2.3 || 2.8 || 0

|-

| 2017 || {{AFL Mel}} || 30

| 19 || 15 || 9 || 204 || 155 || 359 || 61 || 87 || 0.8 || 0.5 || 10.7 || 8.2 || 18.9 || 3.2 || 4.6 || 0

|-

| 2018 || {{AFL Mel}} || 30

| 25 || 27 || 19 || 246 || 176 || 422 || 78 || 118 || 1.1 || 0.8 || 9.8 || 7.0 || 16.9 || 3.1 || 4.7 || 3

|-

| 2019 || {{AFL Mel}} || 30

| 14 || 7 || 9 || 108 || 76 || 184 || 36 || 59 || 0.5 || 0.6 || 7.7 || 5.4 || 13.1 || 2.6 || 4.2 || 0

|-

| 2020{{efn|The 2020 season was played with 17 home-and-away matches per team (down from 22) and 16-minute quarters with time on (down from 20-minute quarters with time on) due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.}} || {{AFL Mel}} || 30

| 7 || 7 || 0 || 36 || 27 || 63 || 14 || 16 || 1.0 || 0.0 || 5.1 || 3.9 || 9.0 || 2.0 || 2.3 || 0

|-

| scope=row bgcolor=F0E68C | 2021^# || {{AFL Mel}} || 30

| 25 || 15 || 11 || 255 || 153 || 408 || 80 || 111 || 0.6 || 0.4 || 10.2 || 6.1 || 16.3 || 3.2 || 4.4 || 0

|-

| 2022 || {{AFL Mel}} || 30

| 23 || 9 || 17 || 184 || 175 || 359 || 71 || 105 || 0.4 || 0.7 || 8.0 || 7.6 || 15.6 || 3.1 || 4.6 || 0

|-

| 2023 || {{AFL Mel}} || 30

| 25 || 19 || 11 || 228 || 159 || 387 || 77 || 118 || 0.8 || 0.4 || 9.1 || 6.4 || 15.5 || 3.1 || 4.7 || 0

|-

| 2024 || {{AFL Mel}} || 30

| 23 || 9 || 6 || 224 || 209 || 433 || 77 || 117 || 0.4 || 0.3 || 9.7 || 9.1 || 18.8 || 3.3 || 5.1 || 0

|- class=sortbottom

! colspan=3 | Career

! 176 !! 116 !! 86 !! 1564 !! 1211 !! 2775 !! 523 !! 769 !! 0.7 !! 0.5 !! 8.9 !! 6.9 !! 15.8 !! 3.0 !! 4.4 !! 3

|}

Notes

{{notelist}}

Team

• AFL premiership player ({{AFL Mel}}): 2021
• McClelland Trophy ({{AFL Mel}}): 2021

Individual

• Norm Smith Memorial Trophy: 2021

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Adelplayer}}
• {{AFL Tables}}
• {{AustralianFootball}}
• {{Twitter|id=anealbullen}}
• [http://demonwiki.org/tiki-index.php?page=Alex+Neal-Bullen Alex Neal-Bullen profile] from Demonwiki

{{Adelaide player squad}}

{{2021 Melbourne premiership players}}

{{2014 AFL national draft}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Neal-Bullen, Alex}}

Category:1996 births

Category:Living people

Category:Melbourne Football Club players

Category:Adelaide Football Club players

Category:Casey Demons players

Category:Glenelg Football Club players

Category:Australian rules footballers from South Australia

Category:People educated at Sacred Heart College (Adelaide)

Category:Melbourne Football Club premiership players

Category:VFL/AFL premiership players

Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen