Jimmy Bartel endorses Collingwood’s $3m bid for Lachie Neale

Former AFL player Jimmy Bartel says Collingwood is making the right decision in pursuing Lachie Neale, describing the club’s approach as a calculated investment. Multiple reports from outlets including The Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Times and The Age describe Bartel’s view that the move—reported as a $3 million gamble—can be justified despite Neale being 34 years old. The coverage focuses on Bartel’s endorsement rather than on additional new details about contract length, conditions, or negotiations. All three articles present the same core message: Bartel supports the pursuit of Neale and believes Collingwood’s recruitment strategy is sound given the value Neale would bring. The reports align on the key elements of the story, including Neale’s age and the reported financial figure, but they do not add further specifics beyond Bartel’s backing of the move.