Teammate’s admission as Neale act branded ‘inappropriate’
Brisbane star Lachie Neale toured Collingwood’s training facilities in Victoria the day before his side’s shock loss to Carlton on Saturday, and teammate Dayne Zorko has conceded he would not have done the same if he was in that position.
Neale, a free agent at the end of the season, looks likely to leave the Lions, with the Magpies among the teams keen on the dual Brownlow Medallist.
Lachie Neale met with Collingwood before the side’s thrashing at the hands of Carlton. Getty Images
It was initially thought the 33-year-old would return to Western Australia to be closer with his children after a very public split with wife Jules in January, or return to South Australia where he grew up, but joining Collingwood now appears to be the most likely outcome.
Brisbane coach Chris Fagan initially expressed his support for Neale if he wished to leave the club given his personal issues, but later called reports he could join the Pies, rather than return to WA, “head scratching”.
Zorko understands the current trade landscape is evolving fast and says they aren’t using the distraction as an excuse for their 76-point thrashing on Saturday night.
“It’s not normal practice in years gone by, but this is the new age of the sport we live in,” Zorko told SEN in Queensland on Tuesday.
“There was an opportunity for him to go through, but I don’t know I haven’t spoken to him about it, but I don’t think it’s unusual these days. We see it in other codes, and it will filter into AFL, but we won’t use it as an excuse as to why we played so poorly.
“It is what it is; we understand the AFL and players market is big business. Distractions will always come out as a cause, but it’s of no relevance to how a team plays.”
Asked if he would have met with a rival club the day before a game, Zorko admitted he likely wouldn’t.
“Thankfully I’m not in that position and probably not, but each to their own, he was down there,” he said.
“He didn’t do it secretly, it’s not unknown that Collingwood want to have him so it’s not a shock.
“Could he have done it Sunday? Potentially, but it doesn’t matter when he does it, it is what it is.”
Four-time Hawthorn premiership star Jordan Lewis, however, was not as kind in his assessment, calling Neale’s decision “inappropriate”.
“Even if it was permitted or not, I just thought it was really inappropriate to be doing that the day before a game,” Lewis told Fox Footy on Monday night.
“He might be the player, and he seems like he’s the player, that’s able to do other things but then also be able to perform on game day, which is fantastic.
“But if I’m his teammate I’m thinking ‘geez we are doing absolutely everything to get ourselves back in the season’. I know he’s a big performer, but he’s checking out opposition facilities the day before (a game) and then they come out and perform like that.
“I just thought it was ill-timed, it was tone-deaf, and it was inappropriate.”
Lachie Neale in action for Brisbane. Getty
Brisbane champion Jonathan Brown believes it would have been less of an issue if Neale had met with Collingwood on the Sunday after the Blues loss.
“It doesn’t impact me as a supporter – and you can’t question Lachie Neale’s commitment to the club this year, he’d probably be leading the best and fairest. But you’ve got to put yourself in these situations,” Brown said in response to Lewis.
“There’s you as the player going through it – and you might be able to compartmentalise – but who else does it impact? My teammates and my coaches? If it impacts any one of those guys by even one per cent, well it’s had an impact on the team.
“Whether you’re going for three flags or not, at the end of the day, this is an individual season. I’m just thinking, could you do it afterwards? Do it the day after.
“I know I met Collingwood after a game. They asked: ‘Do you want to meet before the game?’ And I was (hesitant) … Even my mindset was, no, I wouldn’t be comfortable if my teammates knew about this before the game.”
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes agrees with Lewis’ view, saying he “cannot stand” players meeting rival clubs before a game.
“You’ve got a chance to be in absolute rare air and win three premierships in a row, you’re fighting for a top four position to do that - and the day before a game you’re at another club’s facility,” he told SEN on Monday.
“I’m not sure if that is in the best interests of his footy club. I bet you if you ask Chris Fagan and those at Brisbane - whilst publicly they will say they don’t have an issue with it - I reckon they’d be furious.”
Neale has achieved everything a player could at the Lions, captaining them to two premierships, winning a Brownlow Medal and four club best and fairests.
Collingwood will be hoping to pair him with Nick Daicos in their midfield in 2027, likely as a replacement for Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom, who may retire at the end of the season.
