Lachie Neale found himself the target of a savage parting shot at Brisbane’s best and fairest awards, as the club farewelled the player with a mixture of praise and footy banter.

Neale’s final official function with the Lions came just hours after coach, Chris Fagan, announced he would step down from the top job despite having a year remaining on his contract.

There’s no doubt Fagan will be exiting on a high note after leading the club to an historic premiership three-peat following the Lions’ seven-point win against Fremantle.

And the 65-year-old appeared to ride the wave and channel that victorious energy at the awards event on Thursday night, as he individually addressed all 23 players who starred in the big dance last weekend.

Neale was no exception, as Fagan offered a heartfelt message to send off the dual Brownlow medallist, before he leaves the club to join Collingwood at the start of the 2027 season.

“I wish you all the best with the rest of your life and whatever happens to you,” Fagan said to Neale.

But it was Lions chairman, Andrew Wellington, who delivered the night’s sharpest jab at the midfielder in a savage reference to Neale’s impending move to the Pies.

“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.”

The gag played on the long-running stereotype surrounding Collingwood supporters’ missing teeth, before Wellington quickly made clear the club’s respect for both Neale and the Pies.

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

“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. You’ve been a critical part of our resurgence of our club since then. Thank you and we wish you all the best.”

Wellington’s cheeky jab comes after Fagan told SEN Breakfast podcast there was “a lot to like” about Lachie Neale, despite the months-long saga that exploded after it was revealed the former co-captain was having an affair with his then-wife Jules’ best friend, Tess Crosley.

“I felt really sorry for him, something that he created himself, and he knows that, but still, we’re all just human beings, and there’s a lot to like about Lachie Neale,” Fagan said.

“I just decided to support him. I sort of see the boys I coach as my sons in lots of ways.

“If you’re in my family, I’ll look after you even when you’ve done the wrong thing … and try and make sure you learn from whatever situation you’ve been in and become a better person as a result of it.”