Collingwood fans smacked down over fresh AFL complaint about Lachie Neale
Lachie Neale featuring on the cover of the yearly AFL Record Season Guide book has infuriated Collingwood fans.
The decision to have Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale on the cover of the yearly AFL Record Season Guide book has not gone down well with Collingwood fans. Neale was a somewhat controversial but deserving Brownlow Medallist, polling 31 votes ahead of the Bulldogs' Marcus Bontempelli (29) and Collingwood’s Nick Daicos (28).
As a result of winning the premier individual AFL honour, he earned the right to be the cover boy for the AFL's statistical bible. But Pies fans are up in arms that he is on the front page, despite the fact the winner of the Brownlow has always appeared on the front of the next iteration of the book.
OH NO: AFL great makes call on Bailey Smith leaving Bulldogs after injury blow
SPEAKING OUT: Daisy Pearce makes call on Channel 7 role amid AFLW gig
Upon announcing the book was available for pre-order, the AFL received a multitude of comments from angry Collingwood fans who believed a player from their team deserved to be the cover star. "Runners-up edition: When does the premiership edition come out?" one fan asked, while others slammed the AFL for not thinking through their decision.
Why is a LOSER on the cover, pies won the FLAG and should be on the front 😡😡😡 AFL you’ve lost a loyal fan. #flagpies #16 #joffa
— Swoop Duff (@bullringlover69) December 20, 2023
Don’t know lions won the premiership? The cover appeals to know one except lions fans
— flagpies (@flagpies17) December 20, 2023
It’s always been the Brownlow medalist. I’m embarrassed to be associated with some Pies fans, far out!
— Michael Scott (@scottm_21) December 20, 2023
Poor form
Certainly not worth $50
You really didn’t think this through— KR (@kr_1973) December 20, 2023
However, AAP journalist Oliver Caffrey quickly pointed out that Collingwood's own Nathan Buckley featured on the cover of the 2004 edition despite having lost the previous year’s Grand Final. And the same could be said for Dane Swan who was on the cover in 2012 after losing the Grand Final to Geelong. "The comments on this thread can’t be for real?" Caffrey commented.
New AFL Record editor Ashley Browne also piped up amid the Pies pandemonium saying there are plenty of Collingwood players pictured when you turn the page. "To all the Collingwood fans having a meltdown, the Brownlow medallist always features on the cover. Plenty of great Magpies content once you turn the page," he tweeted.
Jordan De Goey revels in AFL grand final win
There were reports Jordan De Goey was set to leave Collingwood after a rollercoaster few years leading into 2023. At the end of last season, he had the chance to pursue free agency and was linked with a move to St Kilda. Instead, the dynamic utility signed a five-year deal with the Pies and was rewarded with a premiership.
De Goey produced one of the best performances of his career as the Magpies scored a 58-57 win over the Giants at the MCG, racking up 34 disposals and 13 clearances. Despite de Goey's extraordinary performance against GWS, he was left stranded on the bench in the frenetic final stages of the game and says he wasn't too bothered by it.
"It was actually a pretty good situation to be in - I didn't have to do much. It was everyone else's turn to get the job done," he said of the high-stress moment.
"Obviously Billy had that stoppage and had a really good clearance. In terms of being able to relax, it was probably the best part of the game."
Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.
