Three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo believes Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale is the recruit who could have the biggest impact for his new club in 2019.
Neale, 25, eventually joined the Lions on deadline day of the trade period from former club Fremantle.
“I’m going to go with someone that is already a really good player, but I think we’ll start to appreciate more because I think this team will significantly improve their output this year – and it’s Lachie Neale,” Dal Santo told SEN Afternoons.
“There will be a lot of people who will say three years ago he had the most disposals in the competition, I completely agree.
“He also played in the shadow of Nat Fyfe at Freo and as a teammate they love Nat Fyfe, but I reckon they would have (also) loved Lachie Neale, he’s just one of those players who you know what you’re going to get.
“It may not be the prettiest 35 disposals, but he’s a little bull-terrier, he'll give you whatever he’s got.
“I think Lachie Neale can have the most impact for a free agent/recruit this year.”
The ball-magnet took out the Dockers Best and Fairest in 2018 on the back of his prolific ball-winning ability – averaging over 30 disposals per game.
Listen to Nick Dal Santo's chat on SEN Afternoons with Andy Maher in the player below