The dual Brownlow Medallist is challenging a one-match suspension for striking Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan, with his place in the decider against Fremantle at stake.
By the sports desk
Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale is making a final push through the AFL’s appeals process to overturn the suspension threatening to keep him out of the grand final against Fremantle.
The Lions have challenged the Tribunal’s decision to uphold his one-match striking ban, leaving the two-time Brownlow Medallist’s availability unresolved as the club prepares for Saturday’s premiership decider at the MCG.
The Appeal Board hearing is scheduled for 4pm AEST on Thursday, via video conference, two days before the grand final. Brisbane and Fremantle are also due to announce their teams later in the day.
Neale’s suspension stems from an off-the-ball incident involving Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan during the opening quarter of the preliminary final. The match review officer classified the contact as intentional conduct, medium impact and body contact.
At Tuesday’s Tribunal hearing, Neale’s legal team argued that the incident did not constitute a strike and that any impact was negligible. Neale described the contact as a bump or body check, saying he had approached Ginnivan after seeing an earlier confrontation involving Brisbane teammate Eric Hipwood.
The defence also argued that exceptional and compelling circumstances justified overturning the suspension, pointing to Neale’s achievements and a 320-game career without a previous suspension.
The AFL disputed that account, arguing Neale had deliberately moved away from the play to strike Ginnivan. It maintained that the potential for harm mattered even though Ginnivan was not injured and quickly returned to his feet.
After lengthy deliberations, Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson KC said the footage, viewed at normal speed, showed a strike to the stomach. The panel found that the league’s guidelines were designed to eliminate that type of conduct and that Neale’s record did not make the penalty inappropriate or unreasonable.
Thursday’s hearing is the first formal appeal against that Tribunal ruling. The earlier proceeding was Brisbane’s initial challenge to the match review charge.
Neale travelled to Melbourne with his teammates on Wednesday and said he would remain with the club regardless of the outcome.
“Regardless of the result, I will be here to support the boys and the club this week,” he told reporters at Melbourne Airport.
Veteran teammate Dayne Zorko said Brisbane wanted Neale available but would continue preparing as a team rather than allowing the case to dominate grand final week. He expressed confidence in the wider playing group’s ability to respond if the suspension remained in place.
For now, the ban stands. Neale needs a successful appeal to regain his eligibility for the grand final.
Meta title: Lachie Neale appeals AFL grand final striking ban
Meta description: Brisbane’s Lachie Neale challenges his one-match striking ban at the AFL Appeal Board, hoping to face Fremantle in Saturday’s grand final at the MCG.
Tags: Lachie Neale, Brisbane Lions, AFL, AFL Grand Final, Fremantle Dockers, AFL Appeal Board, Jack Ginnivan, Hawthorn, Dayne Zorko, Australian football
