Back in 2013, the Brisbane star was a fresh-faced 20-year-old and the substitute in a Fremantle team that crumbled against Hawthorn in that season's decider.
After claiming his second Brownlow Medal, at the Lions' function in Brisbane on Monday night, Neale took a philosophical approach to backing up winning the game's top individual honour with attempting to claim its greatest prize.
"I haven't been involved in this week for a decade," the 30-year-old said ahead of preparing to face Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday.
"That's the thing I have learnt the most (is how hard it is to get there).
"It was my second season, and I probably thought those opportunities were going to roll around every year or two, and they haven't, obviously.
"So for me now, I just recognise and appreciate the opportunity that's in front of me and the team.
"And I'm going to savour every second of this week and every second that I'm on the hallowed turf of the MCG on Saturday afternoon, because who knows when we might get that opportunity again? It might not ever happen.
"I'm just going to try to soak up this week, enjoy every moment and see what happens on Saturday."
In 2001 and 2002 respectively, Lions Jason Akermanis and Simon Black won that year's Brownlow, then backed up with grand final victory later in the week.
Neale wouldn't buy into whether he believed in omens, only eyeing off helping coach Chris Fagan and fellow co-captain Harris Andrews claim glory.
"At the moment I'm picturing Harris holding up the cup with Fages at the end of it," he said.
When asked where he would be as co-captain, Neale quipped: "I'll just stand just behind him."
Neale is the first two-time winner since former Fremantle teammate Nat Fyfe in 2015 and 2019, and just the 16th player to win multiple Brownlow Medals.
The 30-year-old, who won the 2020 award and was runner-up last year, polled 31 votes to win from Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli (29) and Collingwood's Nick Daicos (28)
Neale stormed home with three-vote games in the final two rounds.
It didn't come without a contentious call, though.
Neale claimed three votes against GWS in round six for 20 disposals and six clearances.
That day, teammate Charlie Cameron kicked seven goals, while Giants Josh Kelly and Steven Coniglio had 41 and 38 disposals respectively.
That was one of seven three-vote games that helped the Lion to victory.
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