Emerging Geelong star Shannon Neale has admitted he was shocked to hear his name appear in trade rumours following reports in August that Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow would be open to a trade down the highway.
With Curnow contracted at Princes Park until 2029, pundits have speculated that, should trade talks eventuate between the Blues and the Cats, Neale's name would likely be on the table, considering his breakout star season in 2025.
However, the Cats have been quick to shut down his involvement in a potential deal, with the key forward stating he was unaware of the reports until general manager Andrew Mackie mentioned it to him.
"I don't read too much into that stuff, but I think it's a bit of a positive that you're thrown into the wanted category," Neale told media on Wednesday.
"I was walking through the halls at GMHBA Stadium, and [Geelong General Manager] Andrew Mackie came up to me and said, 'I want you to know you're not going anywhere', and I sort of didn't know what he was talking about at the time.
"I realised after, so I said thanks and walked away, and I was so puzzled. I later figured out what he was talking about, so it's good to get clarity before I even knew about it.
"It's good to feel wanted, but I'm really invested in this group, and I'm really happy here and what I'm a part of."
Neale, being a physically strong forward threat and pack mark winner, occupies a similar role that the 2023 Coleman Medal winner could want if he joined Geelong too, but the 22-year-old isn't intimidated by the thought of Curnow's potential recruitment.
“It'd be great [to get Curnow]. Healthy competition in the forward line," Neale said.
"He's an absolute gun player, two-time Coleman medallist. He'd be great to have, but obviously, that's up to him and his management."
In what could have been a potentially major distraction for the young star ahead of his second finals campaign, Neale has instead used the rumours, and Mackie's quick denial of them, as a personal boost of confidence.
“[Mackie told me] in the week leading into the final or maybe just before that," Neale said.
"I'm glad he did.”
