Neale’s “only hope” of playing in Grand Final

Lachie Neale has only one chance of being cleared of the suspension that will force him to miss the 2026 Grand Final.

The Brisbane Lions midfielder has been suspended for a gut punch on Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan in Saturday’s remarkable Preliminary Final at the MCG.

Kane Cornes and David King discussed the incident and raised the likely only scenario that will see the two-time Brownlow Medallist play against Fremantle this Saturday.

Cornes admits he would not like seeing a player miss such an important game for that action, but Greg Swann’s crackdown on striking makes it difficult for him to get off.

“I would hate to see someone miss a Grand Final for that,” Cornes said on Fireball.

“But he doesn’t have a leg to stand on unfortunately.”

The fact that Neale has never previously been suspended in his 320-game career could possibly come into play in Brisbane’s appeal.

That scenario helped Scott Pendlebury escape a ban in March which prompted David King to ask the following:

“What about the Pendlebury clause? Are you a believer in that?,” he asked.

Cornes replied: “That’s probably his only hope. 300-plus games, hasn’t had a long history of reports.

“Does he have the same ‘good bloke clause’ that Pendlebury’s got? Probably not.

“Do you think he’s held in as high esteem as Pendlebury? I don’t.”

King: “I don’t think you get much fairer if you’ve won two Brownlows.”

Cornes: “Yeah, that’s their best bet.”

King: “I’d be hoping that he plays. I hate gut punches. I hate any form of punching, it’s just not required.

“This was always the discussion - would you be comfortable with this costing a Grand Final? He’s got a hell of a fight on his hands.

“It will be dumbest thing he’s rubbed out for ever.”

Cornes: “It’s Greg Swann’s baby too.

“Former CEO of the Lions, a good friend and acquaintance of Lachie, and he’s going to be pretty much singlehandedly responsible for the rule change that will get him rubbed out.

“That’s not a suspension last year. Gut punches are 9-0 this year in terms of getting suspended.

“Two have challenged at the Tribunal and there’s been no success.”

Lions teammate Dayne Zorko would find it hard to swallow if Neale was rubbed out for such a “low impact” incident.

“It would be extremely disappointing if he missed a Grand Final due to that,” Zorko said on SENQ Breakfast.

“It looked pretty low impact for mine.

“He’s been an incredible player, I don’t think he’s ever been to the Tribunal or even been suspended.

“Good behaviour is hopefully going to help along the way. I know it has in the past with certain players at other clubs.

“Hopefully he gets off. It’s a job for the lawyers over the next 24 hours to mount the case.

“It would be unbelievable if he missed a Grand Final due to that.”

SEN's Tom Morris first reported that the MRO handed down the suspension for the act committed in the first quarter.

If the ban is upheld, the 33-year-old will miss the 2026 AFL Grand Final in what could be his final match as a Lion.

Watch vision of the incident below:

As Morris reveals, Brisbane are looking to cut the impact grading from medium (one match ban) to low (financial sanction).

That said, the odds are against Neale and the Lions.

The AFL has confirmed the suspension, with Brisbane announcing the club will appeal the decision in a statement: "The Brisbane Lions can confirm the club will challenge Lachie Neale's one match suspension."