Daicos will join the likes of Zach Merrett, Harry McKay, Patrick Dangerfield and Toby Greene as Tuesday night regulars on the Fox Footy program hosted by Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon.
Neale apologised to his wife and family as he stepped down from the Lions captaincy in early January amid his marriage breakdown, saying he needed “to do the work on myself so that I can be the best version of myself moving forward”.
“While I won’t go into specifics I can say that I have let my family down and I apologise for my actions, which have hurt those closest to me. For that I am deeply sorry.”
Neale said his No. 1 priority was the future wellbeing of his family, with the Lions star set to cut a low profile with very or no media appearances or interviews this season.
Daicos’ inclusion in a huge year for Collingwood will be must-watch television given the Pies will be desperate to defy predictions of a plunge down the ladder with their ageing list.
AFL360 host Lyon joked he had twisted the arm of Daicos as part of his role as Victoria’s State of Origin chairman of selectors.
“He’s the most sought-after player in the game so clearly it took some decent persuading to get him across the line,” Lyon said.
“I also threatened he’d never represent the big V again if he didn’t take part!”
“At this stage he’s told us he’ll do a handful of spots and we’ll see if he enjoys it – but it’s great that he wants to be a part of it.”
Merrett also enters a year where he will be constantly probed about his future at Essendon after his aborted trade to Hawthorn last year.
He has admitted there have been early discussions over his contract but the club’s season will likely dictate his future.
Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson, Fremantle midfielder Andrew Brayshaw and star Western Bulldogs midfielder Ed Richards will be new faces.
AFL 360 returns on Monday night — with Carlton coach Michael Voss and Geelong coach Chris Scott at the desk.
Originally published as Lachie Neale steps back from media commitments, to be replaced by Nick Daicos on Fox Footy’s AFL360