Lachie Neale has revealed the “weird” conversation he had with coach Chris Fagan when confirming he was leaving Brisbane for Collingwood.
The 33-year-old played his final game for the Lions in last month’s AFL Grand Final as he helped them seal a sensational three-peat in a dramatic win over the Dockers.
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On the pitch after the game, he addressed rumours surrounding his future, announcing he was leaving the club.
The two-time Brownlow Medallist has since been announced as a Pies player on a three-year deal after eight memorable years in Brisbane.
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Now he has spoken about the exchange he had with football boss Danny Daly and Lions coach Fagan — who has also left the club.
Speaking on Triple M’s The Rush Hour, Neale said: “It’s a little bit uncomfortable (telling Daly and Fagan) but I think everyone knew for a while now that it was on the cards.
“Both of those guys (Danny Daly and Chris Fagan) have been in contact with me throughout the year, especially Danny… and Fages as well.
“It wasn’t a shock to anyone, but it was a bit weird to say it to two guys who you’ve worked alongside for a long time and achieved some special things.
“It’s a weird conversation to have.”
Neale’s decision to join the Pies in Melbourne comes despite a similar deal being offered in Western Australia, where his ex-partner Jules Neale and two children live.
According to leading AFL reporter Cal Twomey, “West Coast’s final offer for Lachie Neale was three years at around $900,000 a season, with some ability to make more”.
“It was essentially the same deal that he has taken up at Collingwood,” Twomey said on AFL Trade Radio.
Since splitting with Neale, Jules has claimed the Lions star cheated on her with at least two women — including her former friend Tess Crosley.
Neale has moved on and gone public with new girlfriend Emma Field.
Speaking on the increased media scrutiny that is likely to come with a move to Melbourne, he said: “I don’t know if that excites me… but being a part of a powerful club like Collingwood and the amount of fans they have across Australia, everywhere we travel will be a lot of Collingwood fans, that’ll be exciting.
“But maybe not the media.”
Originally published as Lachie Neale reveals all on ‘weird’ act after confirming Brisbane departure to join Collingwood