LACHIE Neale copped a rude shock at his first full Brisbane training session on Monday.
The star midfield recruit said he was blown away by the physical condition of his new teammates and conceded he had some work to do to catch up.
FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game
Neale spoke to Brisbane media for the first time on Tuesday and said he had settled into his new city well since moving from Perth last week.
After watching the Lions train last Wednesday, the former Docker took part in a modified session on Friday and was thrown in head first this week.
"I was really impressed with the attitude and intensity the boys trained at," he said.
"They blew me away with the running, I wasn't travelling that well compared to some of the younger boys.
"They're fit and firing and that was really impressive."
TOUGHEST DRAW? Champion Data ranks every club
Neale, 25, was the Lions' prized off-season recruit and said that despite his admiration for Fremantle, it was an "easy decision" to move after seven seasons in the west.
"I weighed up a lot of different things," he said.
"The club (Brisbane) as a whole, not just the playing group but the whole club, has such a good feel of togetherness and I really felt that when I caught up with them, and I've really felt it since I've moved here.
MUST-WATCH GAMES The 22 you won't want to miss
"The group of players at the footy club is really impressive … McCluggage, Berry, Rayner and so forth, it's a really exciting time at the club and I wanted to be a part of it.
"Hopefully I can add a bit of experience and share some knowledge, particularly with the young midfielders. Hopefully I can pass on a bit of wisdom and game sense … and help grow them."