Brisbane chairman Andrew Wellington had his audience cackling – and may have ruffled Magpie feathers – when he cracked a joke about Collingwood fans in a farewell to Lachie Neale.

Wellington spared some words for the Collingwood-bound Neale in his speech at Brisbane’s end-of-season awards ceremony on Thursday night, ahead of the dual Brownlow Medallist’s expected move to the Magpies in the trade period next week.

Lachie Neale celebrating the Lions’ three-peat. Russell Freeman/Getty Images

“I would like to just acknowledge Lachie Neale, who we now know is going to the dark side,” Wellington said.

“Take a last look at Lachie because he’s going tomorrow to have some teeth removed and a bit more ink.”

Laughter and applause broke out as the Lions boss rolled out the sledge with a sly grin.

But he followed up the dig with some classy words – for both Neale and the Magpies.

“I shouldn’t joke – he’s going to a club we genuinely have a lot of respect for and a great rivalry with,” Wellington said.

“While of course we’re sad to see Lachie go, you go with nothing but gratitude from us.

“You came to us at the end of 2018, a year in which we won five matches and finished 15th.

“And you’ve been a critical part of the resurgence of our club since then.

“Thank you, and we wish you all the best.”

Collingwood declined to comment when contacted by nine.com.au after the Brisbane chairman’s jab at Magpie supporters, who for decades have been the butt of jokes about missing teeth and heavy tattoo work.

As he celebrated winning a third successive premiership with Brisbane, Neale made official his expected move to Collingwood on a three-year deal worth a reported $900,000 per year.

The Lions are expecting to land an end-of-first-round draft pick as compensation for losing the dual Brownlow Medallist to Collingwood as an unrestricted free agent.

Young superstar Will Ashcroft won the Merrett-Murray Medal as Brisbane’s club champion on Thursday night.

The dual Norm Smith Medallist also shared the honours of best finals player with fellow midfielder Josh Dunkley.