Jaspa Fletcher has spelt out the impact Lachie Neale has made at the club as he grapples with the prospect of never playing alongside him for the Brisbane Lions again.
The 22-year-old will contest a fourth AFL grand final in his fourth season when the Lions face Fremantle on Saturday at the MCG.
As it stands Neale won't join him, the star midfielder on Thursday set to appeal a one-match suspension for striking that has ruled him out of the club's tilt for a third-straight title.
Two-time Brownlow Medallist Neale is widely tipped to join Collingwood next season.
“That’s footy and that’s business, and he’s got to do what’s right for him," Fletcher said of the former captain's likely move.
"But I’d love to still have him here, because as a mate and as a mentor as well, I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me.
“He’s left such a great legacy at the club. I’m sure we’ll keep a great connection over the journey."
Neale rates Fletcher, endorsing him among a host of capable young Lions leaders as a potential future captain.
“When I heard that, I was super honoured,” Fletcher said.
“If that’s the way the club wants to go, I’d be more than happy to do it.
“I’d do anything for the club."
Fletcher hasn't missed a game since his 2023 debut but admits his form, after preseason shoulder surgery, hadn't met his own expectations.
"I’ve been pretty honest ... I haven’t been overly proud with how I’ve gone about it,” he said.
“I could have got a little bit more out of myself, but that’s behind me now and I’ve learnt a lot of lessons along the road, on and off the field."
And, after losing the only junior football grand final he reached "by 100 points", he hasn't taken his AFL career for granted.
"I'm just a product of being part of such a great club as such a great time," he said.
"In '23 we couldn't get it done, so to win a couple now is awesome. In 2023 you learn about how to go about the day, the week.
"As much as you want to win that, it set us up."
