Free agent Lachie Neale has joined Collingwood in one of the biggest moves of the off-season.
With plenty of success and strong history behind him, here’s all you need to know about the newest midfielder to join the black and white.
Where has he come from?
Neale joins after eight years in Brisbane and seven before that in Fremantle.
He was drafted at pick 58 in the 2011 National Draft and quickly became a diamond in the rough for the Dockers, playing as sub in the side’s 2013 Grand Final loss to Hawthorn in what was his second season.
He built a brilliant career in purple and won two best and fairests, before requesting a trade north at end the end of 2019.
He hit the ground running in his first season at Brisbane, helping them rise up the ladder immediately in 2019 and winning his first Brownlow Medal in 2020.
He made it two in 2023, a season they lost the decider to the Pies, before saluting three years in a row from 2024-26.
Now 33 years of age, Neale joins his third club as a three-time premiership player after 321 games.
What position does he play?
Neale is and has been on the premier midfielders of the competition for the past decade.
He’ll join fellow Brownlow Medallist Nick Daicos in the centre of the ground at the Pies, as well as emerging stars like Ed Allan and Angus Anderson.
One of the cleanest players in the league, Neale’s slick hands will help extract the ball out of congestion and set up the Pies’ attack.
What’s his trophy cabinet look like?
Neale is one of the most decorated active players, having won multiple premierships, best and fairests and Brownlow Medals.
Awards:
- Premiership player (2024, 2025, 2026)
- Brownlow Medallist (2020, 2023)
- All Australian (2019, 2020, 2022, 2024)
- Fremantle Best & Fairest (2016, 2018)
- Brisbane Best & Fairest (2019, 2020, 2022, 2024)
- AFLPA Leigh Matthews Trophy (2020)
- AFLCA Champion Player of the Year (2020)
- AFLCA Gary Ayres Award (2024)
- Brisbane Co-Captain (2023-25)
How was his 2026 season?
Neale was able to play all 27 games of the Lions’ season and produced another stellar year.
With 775 disposals for 2026, he started in blistering form with 39 touches in Opening Round, while he recorded 40+ disposals twice this year (Round 7 and 18).
He had a consistent finals series, helping the Lions secure a third-straight premiership with tallies of 21, 26 and 20 touches in their three September wins in 2026.
Anything else I should know?
Neale has some links to the current playing list, having played four years with Dan McStay during their time at Brisbane.
He also joins a host of South Australian natives at the Pies including Beau McCreery, Oscar Steene, Charlie West, Harvey Harrison and Noah Howes, with that contingent all vying for state selection early in 2027 when they take on WA.
