Lions won’t rule out Neale for AFL grand final return
Shayne Hope |
Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale rates himself a “50 per cent” chance to return from injury in the AFL grand final if the Lions topple Collingwood to qualify.
Neale’s season appeared over when he limped off the field with a calf issue late in Brisbane’s qualifying-final defeat to Geelong.
The two-time Brownlow Medal winner missed the Lions’ 53-point semi-final thrashing of local rivals Gold Coast on Saturday night, and will also sit out the preliminary final against Collingwood.
But Neale could be in the frame for a surprise comeback the following week if the Lions reach a third straight season decider.
The reigning premiers are riding high after their win over the Suns and have been further buoyed by Neale’s positive outlook.
“He’s as mentally tough as they come, so I’m definitely not ruling him out,” Lions defender Ryan Lester told SEN on Sunday.
“I thought it was all over for him, but I didn’t actually realise he was doing the hyperbaric chamber stuff and saunas and all this recovery stuff that he’s been doing this week away from the club.
“I actually saw him this morning – I had my son’s fifth birthday party and he was there – he was pretty positive about how he’s tracking.
“All he’s going to do is give himself a shot, and obviously we’ve got to win this weekend to give him any chance.
“But he’s certainly a chance, that’s for sure.”
On Saturday, Neale admitted he held a far more optimistic view about his chances than Brisbane medical staff did.
“I’m giving myself a 50 per cent chance,” Neale told Fox Footy.
“But I think the physios and the doctors and the rest of the medical fraternity are giving me about a one per cent chance.
“I spoke about it this afternoon. I think in 20 years’ time I’d be kicking myself if I didn’t try everything in my power to get up for it.
“If the dominoes fall my way and that one per cent does come through, then it would be an amazing story.”
The Lions’ engine room dominated Gold Coast without Neale, as Will Ashcroft, Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage ran riot.
Dunkley had a finals-record 18 tackles as well as 20 disposals and four clearances in a performance that led to high praise from Lester.
The 33-year-old defender has seen it all, from the days when the Lions were cellar-dwellers through to their current status as a power club.
“We’ve had Lachie Neale, Charlie Cameron, Joe Daniher … but I believe Dunks is our best recruit we’ve ever had,” Lester said.
“You can get a big-name player, but his first priority is defence and contest.
“That’s not to say that the other boys don’t buy into that, but certainly their weapons are more offensive.
“For him to do that it becomes infectious within the team.
“He’s an amazing player and one of the greatest teammates you could possibly ask for.”
AAP
