The 23-year-old has long been viewed as the second coming of his former mentor, Cats triple-premiership hero Tom Hawkins.
But he is determined to do it his way as he seeks to make his own grand-final mark against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday.
"We're two completely different players," Neale told AAP of comparisons to former mentor Hawkins, who retired last year with 359 games and 796 goals to his name.
"But I do want to carry on that key forward legacy.
"We've had Gary Ablett Snr, Cam Mooney, Hawkins and obviously Jez (Cameron) at the moment, and I certainly do want to be that next guy.
"I got drafted because I've got different strengths to Hawk, but there's certainly things I can take from him.
"He was a great leader and he was so vocal out on the ground, and that's something that I've tried to bring into my game."
Drafted in 2020, South Fremantle product Neale caught talent scouts' eyes with his elite running ability, having reached junior national level in the 400m and 800m events.
At 203cm, the tall target had plenty to work with and went about adding muscle to his sizeable frame.
He has put on about 20kg and now tips the scales at an imposing 109kg.
"I didn't want to put on weight to the point where I couldn't run anymore, or as well as I have been able to," Neale said.
"But a focal point for me coming in was certainly putting on some weight and some size onto my frame.
"I certainly went after that and I think I'm at a point now where I can maintain where I'm at and keep building strength."
Neale was in his second season and played just two senior games, including one as the sub, when Geelong last won the flag in 2022.
He got his first taste of finals last year and has played every game bar one this season after taking the reins at full-forward from Hawkins.
Neale has proved his value with 43 majors alongside Coleman Medal winner Jeremy Cameron (88) as the main targets in attack, with a dangerous band of goal-sneaks at their feet.
Despite his breakout year, there was talk Neale would be part of a trade when Carlton spearhead Charlie Curnow was floated as a potential Cats recruit.
It was quickly put to bed by Cats football boss Andrew Mackie, who moved to reassure Neale of his standing at the club before the player himself had even caught wind of the speculation.
"It's good that the club wants me here and they have full faith in me," Neale said.
"It's good to be appreciated and as long as I'm playing my role and the coaches are happy with it then I've got nothing to complain about."
Neale has played just two games in six weeks, owing to his one-match ban for rough conduct on Sydney's Jake Lloyd last month and second-ranked Geelong's direct path to the grand final.
But he feels primed for the clash with reigning premiers Brisbane and a personal battle with the Lions' intercept king Harris Andrews.
"My role is to throw myself at the contest and bring the ball to ground," Neale said.
"I'm constantly encouraged that if I don't mark it, soft drops are just as good.
"I need to be a beacon up forward or down the line and that's what I've embraced."
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