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<\/p>\nLachie Neale has sealed his high-profile switch to Collingwood, with Brisbane teasing the dual Brownlow medallist on his way out the door.<\/p>\n
The AFL approved Neale signing a three-year deal with the Magpies on Friday afternoon, closing out the first day of free agency.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old ball-winner leaves as an unrestricted free agent after the Lions clinched a third-straight flag with their stunning seven-point grand final victory over Fremantle.<\/p>\n
Brisbane chairman Andrew Wellington poked fun at Neale’s switch to the “dark side” at the club’s best and fairest event, where he finished third behind Will Ashcroft and Josh Dunkley.<\/p>\n
“Take a last look at Lachie, because he’s going tomorrow to have some teeth removed and a bit more ink,” Wellington joked on Thursday night, drawing laughter from the crowd.<\/p>\n
Departing coach Chris Fagan hailed Neale’s perseverance after stepping down as captain in January following the public breakdown of his marriage and almost missing the grand final through suspension.<\/p>\n
“As we all know, he’s been under a fair bit of pressure, but it’s never shown out on the field,” Fagan said.<\/p>\n
“[We] wish you all the best at your new club and with the rest of your life and whatever happens to you.”<\/p>\n
The Lions have been handed a second-round draft compensation \u2014 currently pick number 39 \u2014 with Neale reportedly raking in about $900,000 a season.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Toby Greene has signed a three-year deal with Geelong. (Getty Images: AFL Photos\/Jason McCawley)<\/p>\n
Earlier, Toby Greene became the first major AFL free agency domino to fall, with Greater Western Sydney to receive a second-round draft pick for losing their former captain to Geelong.<\/p>\n
The Cats lodged paperwork on Friday to land the inaugural Giant as an unrestricted free agent.<\/p>\n
Greene, a triple All Australian and dual club champion, booted 450 goals across his 15-year, 282-game tenure for GWS.<\/p>\n
The 33-year-old cited family reasons for returning to his native Victoria and reuniting with his close mate and former Giants forward Jeremy Cameron at the Cattery on a lucrative three-year deal.<\/p>\n
The Giants will receive a second-round draft selection as compensation, currently slated at number 26.<\/p>\n
Earlier, key forward Joel Amartey’s switch from Sydney to Carlton was confirmed as the free agency period opened.<\/p>\n
The Swans will receive draft compensation for losing the unrestricted 27-year-old, who was an emergency during finals after failing to convince coach Dean Cox following a partial Achilles tear.<\/p>\n
Melbourne’s 2021 premiership vice-captain Jack Viney is poised for a move with two years remaining on his contract after meeting with West Coast.<\/p>\n
After being sidelined through injury for all but one game this season, the 32-year-old was told by coach Steven King there would likely be limited opportunities for him in the Demons midfield.<\/p>\n
“Footy’s gone that way mate,” Viney told 10 News at Perth Airport on Thursday.<\/p>\n
“So took a bit to process early days, but we’re here now, so we’ll make the best of the opportunity \u2026 it [a deal] will get done.”<\/p>\n