Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has admitted he would be confused if star veteran Lachie Neale left the dual reigning premiers for a Melbourne-based club.
Out of contract at season's end, Neale is weighing up his future following the public and tumultuous breakdown of his marriage late last year.
The dual Brownlow medallist has been living away from his two young children, who relocated to Perth with estranged wife Jules.
Given his personal situation, Neale - a former Fremantle star - was expected to move back to Western Australia if he left Brisbane.
One of the two Adelaide clubs also remains an option, given the proximity to Perth and Neale growing up in regional South Australia.
But Collingwood have been chasing the two-time Lions premiership co-captain hard, desperate to help midfield superstar Nick Daicos.
The Magpies and Lions have long had a fierce rivalry, the clubs facing off in a classic grand final in 2023.
"That would be a bit of a head scratcher for me," Fagan told SEN on Tuesday when asked about the possibility of Neale joining the Pies.
"But it's his business how he sees this and where he thinks the best location is for him in relation to his family.
"I don't like getting involved too much in these personal decisions, they are way more complex than we all think from the outside looking in."
Fagan stressed the Lions "definitely want to keep" Neale, who will turn 34 next year.
"The thing is that we don't have that much power in that decision because it's really something that is up to Lachie because he's a free agent," he said.
"He knows we want him to stay and we'll be trying to make him an offer that will help him to stay.
"But he's got other things going on in his life that he has to think about as well."
Collingwood coach Craig McRae has made no secret of his desire to bring in more experienced talent as the Magpies cling to keep their premiership window open.
"I'm impatient to get the right people in our environment and also try to get our list to a state where we can compete," McRae told Fox Footy on Monday night.
"That's exactly what our intentions are, and we'll work to whatever that looks like.
"You'd like to think anyone who's a free agent that hasn't signed, we've got some sights on."
Neale has played 172 games for the Lions since his blockbuster move to Brisbane from the Dockers during the 2018 off-season.
An elite player at Fremantle, the midfielder's impact with the Lions will almost certainly ensure he is a lock to be included in the Australian Football Hall of Fame following his retirement.
