+34
Dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale has formally requested a move to Collingwood as a free agent, accepting a three-year deal worth slightly less than $1 million per season. Brisbane has given him their blessing after he helped secure a third successive premiership.
Dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale has officially told Brisbane he will move to Collingwood as a free agent, days after celebrating his third successive premiership with the Lions.
Neale Officially Leaves Brisbane
Neale made the announcement on Wednesday morning, formally telling his club he wanted to join the Magpies after he and his premiership teammates had been feted at a public fan event in Brisbane. Neale had not been offered a new contract at Brisbane in his free agency year, which suggested the only real question was which club the free agent would choose, not whether he would leave.
He has now chosen Collingwood on a three-year deal worth slightly less than $1 million per season. After a very public and acrimonious marriage break-up, Neale has endured a tumultuous year. Despite his wife and children moving back to Perth, Neale opted not to ask for a move to Western Australia, fearing he would feed the circus circling his personal life. Instead, he will continue his career in Victoria with the Magpies.
In August, Neale was revealed to have toured Collingwood facilities ahead of playing against Carlton the next day. Reports also suggested there had been discussion of what number he would wear and which locker he would have. Essendon, West Coast and Collingwood all approached Neale once it became clear he felt he needed to leave Brisbane.
Other Clubs Considered Neale
Fremantle, the club where Neale began his career, said if he wanted to return they would make it happen, but that would have been a tight squeeze financially for the grand finalists. Neale also met with St Kilda coach Ross Lyon, his former coach at Fremantle with whom he maintains a good relationship, but they agreed a move there was not the right fit for Neale or the club.
Andrew Wellington told this masthead after Saturday win that, regardless of Neale leaving, the Lions would always value him not only for his three flags and two Brownlow medals but also for the impact of his arrival when the Lions were battling to win matches. 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.
Neale Move Completes Friday
Neale was fortunate to play in Saturday grand final having initially been banned by the AFL Tribunal for an intentional strike to the stomach of Hawthorn Jack Ginnivan in the preliminary final, only for that decision to be watered down to a fine by the AFL Appeals Board. The free agency period opens on Friday, at which point Neale move to Collingwood can be formally completed.
smh
theage:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Collingwood Magpies Brisbane Lions AFL Free Agency Premiership
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chris Fagan Reflects on Lachie Neale Saga, Coaching FutureBrisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan discusses Lachie Neale's tumultuous year and his own coaching future, saying he has not seen anything like the Neale saga.
Read more »
Jack Bowes Attracts Adelaide Interest While Giants Demand First-Round Pick For Lachie WhitfieldOut-of-contract utility Jack Bowes has drawn interest from Adelaide, Essendon, and North Melbourne as he explores options after a limited season at Geelong. Meanwhile, the Giants have set a high price for Lachie Whitfield, demanding a first-round draft pick, with Carlton and Melbourne positioned as the primary suitors for the half-back flanker.
Read more »
Nick Neale Confirms Departure from Brisbane Lions for CollingwoodBrisbane Lions midfielder Nick Neale has informed the club he will leave as an unrestricted free agent, with Collingwood set to secure his services following a lucrative three-season, $3 million contract offer that surpassed bids from other clubs.
Read more »
Lachie Neale Confirms Departure from Brisbane Lions, Set to Join CollingwoodTriple premiership Lion Lachie Neale has confirmed he will leave Brisbane as an unrestricted free agent and is set to join Collingwood when the AFL trade and free agency period opens on Friday.
Read more »