Dual Brownlow Medalist Lachie Neale is holding onto hope for a potential return to the AFL Grand Final this year, despite a calf injury sidelining him for the Brisbane Lions’ recent matches. Following an impressive 53-point victory over the Gold Coast Suns in the semi-final on September 30, 2025, the Lions are now just one win away from their third consecutive grand final.
Neale sustained the calf injury during the final quarter of the qualifying final against the Geelong Cats, which the Lions lost. His absence was notable as the team advanced without him, showcasing a dominant performance led by players like Will Ashcroft, who had a game-high 11 score involvements, and Hugh McCluggage, who recorded 33 disposals. Josh Dunkley also made history with a finals-record 18 tackles.
Despite the club’s weekly injury report initially suggesting Neale would be unavailable for the remainder of the season, he remains optimistic about his chances. Speaking to Fox Footy prior to the semi-final, Neale stated, “I’m giving myself a 50 per cent chance, but I think the physios and the doctors and the rest of the medical fraternity are giving me about a one per cent chance.” He expressed a desire not to regret not attempting to return, indicating he is doing everything possible to be ready if the Lions defeat Collingwood next weekend.
Neale’s determination is evident as he has been dedicating considerable time to recovery, spending hours daily in a hyperbaric chamber. Jason Dunstall, a renowned figure in AFL, emphasized the importance of consulting the medical team before making any decisions regarding Neale’s participation in the grand final. He noted, “I think the first thing the coach does is he goes to the medical team and says ‘tell me what I can do here’.”
Hall of Fame Legend Leigh Matthews added that simply completing one training session would not be enough for Neale to be considered fit for the grand final. He stated that Neale would need to participate fully in the training schedule throughout the week leading up to the match. “If you’ve got a muscular injury like that, you’d have to get through the two really big sessions, I would’ve thought, to say that, yeah, you’re ready to play the game,” Matthews explained.
After a month-long absence due to a quad complaint, Neale returned for the qualifying final against Geelong, where he played a pivotal role in the Lions’ previous premiership campaign. His performance in last year’s grand final included 35 disposals and nine clearances, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
As the Lions prepare for their crucial match against Collingwood, the potential return of Lachie Neale adds an intriguing layer to their quest for another championship. His resilience and dedication to recovery highlight the lengths players will go to in pursuit of glory on the grand final stage.
