Lachie Neale has thanked Brisbane for “the best eight years of my life” after admitting Saturday’s grand final win over Fremantle was probably his last game for the Lions. The dual Brownlow medallist is widely reported to be joining Collingwood on a three-year deal when AFL free agency opens on Friday, although the move is not yet official.
Neale: ‘This is probably the end’
Neale won his third straight premiership as the Lions beat Fremantle by seven points in a grand final thriller, and the 33-year-old’s post-match comments have been trending on Google in Australia since.
“We’ve still got some things to work out, but I can’t thank the [Lions] enough for the last eight years. It has been the best eight years of my life,” Neale said, as reported by The Age. “It still doesn’t really feel real that this is probably the end of my time here.”
Neale said he expected the finer details of his move to be completed in the week ahead, according to The Age, with exit meetings to come as the club celebrates its third consecutive flag.
Lions give their blessing
The Age reported that multiple industry sources have confirmed Neale has settled on joining Collingwood on a three-year deal after the Lions did not offer him a contract for 2027. Essendon and West Coast had also approached him this year, the paper reported.
Lions president Andrew Wellington said the club would be forever grateful to Neale.
“It was a really important platform for turning the club around, and if you look at his performances in grand finals and big games, he has been incredible, so we have got nothing but gratitude for what he has done for our club,” Wellington said, as reported by The Age.
As an unrestricted free agent, Neale can join the Magpies without the need for a trade.
What the deal could mean
AFL.com.au has reported that Neale and GWS veteran Toby Greene will both take up three-year deals, at Collingwood and Geelong respectively, with the offers tipped to be worth just under $3 million across the life of the contracts.
The size of those deals has raised questions about free agency compensation. AFL.com.au reported that Neale’s move could trigger ‘band two’ compensation for Brisbane, a pick at the end of the first round, although the AFL is yet to make any ruling.
A grand final week to remember
Neale was only cleared to play in the decider after the AFL appeals board downgraded his one-match ban for striking Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan to a $10,000 fine, a case we covered before the grand final.
He was booed each time he got the ball, but still had 20 disposals, including a kick to Hugh McCluggage in the dying minutes that led to Logan Morris’ go-ahead goal, The Age reported.
Asked about the booing from supporters of his former club, Neale told AAP: “I used to play for them, which probably added to it.”
He also praised Lions football manager Danny Daly. “What he did for me this year, but in particular this week, and supporting me and getting around me, I can’t thank him enough. I love that bloke,” Neale told AAP.
After the game, Neale posted a photo of himself with all three premiership cups on Instagram with the caption “What now…”, then replied to an emoji from Ginnivan with “hope your tummy okay my guy x”, according to The Age.
Neale leaves Brisbane after 186 games and three premierships, having played 135 games for Fremantle before joining the Lions in the 2018 trade period.
