Brisbane leader Dayne Zorko has no issue with teammate Lachie Neale touring Collingwood's facilities a day before Saturday's loss against Carlton, saying his meeting wasn't the reason for the poor performance at Marvel Stadium.
Neale is set to join the Pies as an unrestricted free agent at season's end after a successful stint at the Lions.
"It's not normal practice in years gone by, but I think it's very much the new age of sport we live in," Zorko said on SEN.
"It's very much a business, and there was an opportunity for Lachie to go through. I don't know. I haven't spoken to him about it. I don't think it's uncommon these days. We'll see it more and more. We see it in Rugby League. We see it in other codes.
"We're certainly not going to use it as an excuse for why we played poorly. We understand the AFL and the player market is a big business, and we're just involved in it."
Zorko was pressed as to whether he'd tour a rival club's facilities before a match.
"Fortunately I am not in that position," he answered.
"Probably not. But each to their own. There was an opportunity for him. He was down there. He didn't do it secretly. It's not like it's not known Collignwood aren't interested in having him, and are offering big money to have him. So it's not like a shock we'll get thrown back by.
"Could he have done it Sunday? Potentially. But it doesn't matter when he does it. It is what it is."
The Lions defender was unsure whether Neale had conversations with coach Chris Fagan regarding the meeting with Collingwood.
Zorko even went one step further to suggest how the dual Brownlow Medallist will help the Pies.
"I think what it does is it adds depth to an already strong midfield," he added.
"Someone like Nick Daicos now probably doesn't have to invest much time inside the contest. He can get on the outside, which we know he's so damaging at. His first five steps is powerful and fast, making really quick players look slow. That's a scary proposition knowing Lachie will probably walk into their midfield next year and be an assist of him (Daicos).
"That'll put the competition on notice.
"But the deal is not done with Lachie. There has been a lot of speculation, but that's just the business we're in at the moment. Who knows? Lachie will make those decisions in due course for him and his family.
"Obviously it'll be pretty scary having Daicos and Neale on the same team."
