Lachie Neale Joins Collingwood Magpies

The dual Brownlow medallist has signed a three-year contract following a decorated tenure with the Brisbane Lions.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Football

Dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale has joined the Collingwood Magpies on a three-year deal. The move follows a successful period with the Brisbane Lions, where Neale secured three premierships.

Why it matters

Neale brings elite experience to Collingwood, having played 321 career games across his time with Brisbane and Fremantle. His arrival marks a significant roster shift for the Magpies as they look to build on their squad depth.

Lachie Neale is 33 years old and brings extensive experience from his 186 appearances for the Brisbane Lions and 135 games for Fremantle. He has now committed to a three-year term with the Collingwood Magpies.

The players

Lachie Neale

He is a dual Brownlow medallist who has played 321 games in the AFL across his time with the Brisbane Lions and Fremantle.

Collingwood Magpies

They are a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne that competes in the Australian Football League.

Brisbane Lions

They are a professional Australian rules football club that Neale represented for 186 games before moving to Collingwood.

Chris Fagan

He is a retired coach who famously adopted the mantra POUND THE ROCK during his career.

Rhys Sharp

He is a professional tattooist at the Ten/Ten Tattoo Studio in Brisbane who applied Neale's commemorative ink.

The details

Alongside his club transition, Neale recently visited Ten/Ten Tattoo Studio in Brisbane to commemorate his three consecutive premiership triumphs. Tattooist Rhys Sharp applied new stencils to the star, updating his existing ink to reflect the 2025 and 2026 title wins.

2023: Neale discussed the meaning of swallow tattoos on his arm.
2024: Year inscribed on Neale's initial premiership tattoo.
Late 2025: Lachie Neale and Jules Neale separated.
June 2026: Jules Neale removed a tattoo letter.
October 2026: Neale debuts new premiership tattoos.

Season Trajectory

Neale's arrival at Collingwood significantly shifts the balance of the league as the Magpies look to integrate a proven winner into their rotation. His transition follows the conclusion of a historic three-year premiership run that defined his tenure in Brisbane.

Neale enters the Collingwood rotation as a high-volume possession winner, directly impacting the club's midfield distribution and fantasy scoring potential. His three-year agreement provides the Magpies with long-term stability in their core engine room.

The takeaway

Professional athletes frequently use body art to commemorate significant milestones like premiership wins during their playing careers. This transition highlights how players balance personal life changes, such as Neale's separation from Jules Neale in 2025, with high-profile career moves.