Lachie Neale leaves Brisbane for Collingwood in 2027
Lachie Neale will play for Collingwood in 2027.
Brisbane confirmed on September 30, 2026, that the 33-year-old midfielder will leave as an unrestricted free agent. Collingwood said Neale had decided to use his free agency rights to make the move, and that it looked forward to him joining the club in 2027. ABC
That means Neale can choose his next club without Brisbane having to agree to a trade. It is a right earned through long service. The deal cannot be lodged until the AFL’s trade and free agency period opens on Friday.
The timing is sharp. Neale told the Lions he wanted to join Collingwood one day after Brisbane’s public premiership celebrations, according to reports in Melbourne. The Age The news broke just days after Brisbane beat Fremantle by seven points in the grand final to claim a third straight premiership.
Channel 7’s Tom Morris first reported that Neale had told Brisbane he wanted to leave via free agency. Fox Sports Collingwood then said it would welcome Neale once the period commences. Reports on September 30 said he could formally become a Magpie as early as Friday.
Brisbane list manager Dom Ambrogio thanked Neale for eight seasons of contribution. In the club’s official statement, titled “Club Statement – Lachie Neale”, Ambrogio said Neale would leave Brighton Homes Arena with the club’s best wishes. Brisbane Lions
The AFL is expected to confirm free agency compensation for Brisbane during the trade and free agency period. That is the draft pick or picks the league awards to a club that loses a free agent.
Neale’s record in Brisbane is deep. He moved from Fremantle at the end of 2018 after 135 games for the Dockers between 2012 and 2018. He then played 186 senior matches for the Lions.
He won Brownlow Medals in 2020 and 2023. The Brownlow is the AFL’s award for the best and fairest player across the home-and-away season. Neale is a two-time winner, a four-time All-Australian and a three-time premiership player.
There had been questions around his future for months. On January 1, 2026, Brisbane confirmed Neale had stood down as co-captain effective that day. He had also missed the rest of Brisbane’s 2025 finals campaign with a calf injury, the club confirmed at the time.
In July, Neale said he remained undecided on where he would play in 2027. Brisbane coach Chris Fagan said he was comfortable with Neale meeting rival clubs about his future. Collingwood fans backed the club’s chase for 2027 and beyond in an AFL.com.au fan survey in August.
For fans, this means Brisbane loses a key inside midfielder but gains draft help. Collingwood gains a proven ball-winner. The paperwork comes next.
