One of footy’s worst-kept secrets has been confirmed, with triple premiership Lion Lachie Neale telling Brisbane he wants to depart via free agency

As first reported by Channel 7’s Tom Morris on Wednesday morning, Neale informed the Lions on Tuesday he wanted to move to a new AFL club for the 2027 season.

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Collingwood then confirmed Neale had decided to exercise his free agency rights with a move to the Magpies.

The 33-year-old is widely expected to join the Magpies on a multimillion-dollar three-year deal during the AFL exchange period, which opens on Friday.

“The Club looks forward to welcoming him to the KGM Centre,” a Collingwood statement read.

Neale played a key role in Brisbane’s remarkable come-from-behind Grand Final triumph on Saturday, finishing with 20 disposals and seven score involvements. AFL 360 co-host Garry Lyon claimed the Lions wouldn’t have won on Saturday without Neale, whose toughness and cleanliness was on full display in the final quarter.

Brisbane’s third straight Grand Final win will now officially go down as Neale’s final game for the club.

Neale talks tumultuous week ahead of GF | 02:54

Neale reportedly was never offered a fresh contract by Brisbane, given the financial offers from the Magpies and other rival clubs chasing him.

“Lachie has been a great player for the Brisbane Lions, and we thank him for his incredible contribution over his eight seasons,” Lions list manager Dom Ambrogio said.

“We understand Lachie’s reasons for wishing to explore free agency and we wish him all the best for the next chapter of his career.”

It comes after a rollercoaster year for Neale, beginning with his highly public marriage break-up in early January that led to him standing down as Lions co-captain. In the lead-up to the Grand Final, Neale and the Lions fought desperately to overturn a one-game striking suspension to ensure he could face Fremantle, all while dealing with ample trade whispers.

Asked if the speculation around his future this year made the third flag extra emotional for him, Neale told Channel 7 after the Grand Final: “Yeah it does.

“I’ve just absolutely loved my time with this footy club. They’re an exceptional organisation from top to bottom and I can’t thank them enough for the last eight years.

“It’s been an incredible ride, I feel like the best eight years of my life. To finish it with three premierships is something as a kid I never would’ve dreamt of.

Lachie Neale and the Brisbane Lions celebrate their three-peat with Brisbane and Fitzroy fans at Brunswick Oval in Fitzroy. Picture: Adam HeadSource: News Corp Australia

“I’m sure they’re going to keep competing. It’s the club that they are and the people and players they’ve got around as well – I love this group.

“I’m going to miss them very much.”

Neale was initially drafted by Fremantle with Pick 58 in 2011. He won two best and fairests with the Dockers before moving to Brisbane after the 2018 season.

In his eight seasons at the Lions, Neale won another four best and fairest awards, two Brownlow Medals, earned All-Australian selection four times and played in all three Lions premiership sides.

Triple premiership Lion Alastair Lynch last week told foxfooty.com.au Neale had gone from being “a very good player at Fremantle himself to becoming a Hall of Famer at Brisbane”.

“It’s pretty hard to get very good players out of clubs, especially clubs that aren’t exactly flying, and he’s made the choice to come all away across the country and start again. He is an amazing player,” Lynch told foxfooty.com.au.

“He’s been an incredible player, and he was probably half a chance for the Norm Smith Medal with just half a game of football last year. He has had an incredible impact on the footy club.”