Neale appeal: Suspended Lion to speak

- Whateley: Football has done Lachie Neale wrong

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Dayne Zorko is up.

"He is just taking it in his stride. We just soldier on and do what we do.

"You don't want my opinion, and I don't want to give it to you!

"Absolutely (I'm disappointed). You work so hard to get to this position, right?

"He's disappointed, but we will appeal it and go from there."

Do you think it was worth a week?

"No.

"We just keep moving forward in our process and worry about what we can control.

"Impeccable record... you'd think that would hold a fair bit of weight... obviously not."

"We will let that run it's course. We'd love him out there... but if he's not out there, our next man mentality will come into play."

Lachie Neale speaks:

"Obviously, as you guys would be aware, the club and myself have decided to appeal the Tribunal's decision.

"I'm obviously very hopeful that that is successful, but regardless of the result, I'll be here to support the boys and the club this week.

"It's a big week for the club. Thank you."

Lachie Neale and the Brisbane Lions have landed at Melbourne Airport.

Neale will speak shortly, alongside Dayne Zorko.

The Brisbane Lions will appeal Lachie Neale’s suspension.

SEN's Tom Morris has reported that the club will appeal the decision to uphold the one-week ban.

The Lions have confirmed the appeal.

"The Brisbane Lions confirm the club will appeal the Tribunal’s decision regarding Lachie Neale," read a club statement.

"The club will make no further comment while the matter remains ongoing."

The veteran midfielder was banned by the MRO for a gut punch on Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan in last weekend’s remarkable Preliminary Final.

The Lions appealed that initial decision which was sent to the Tribunal on Tuesday evening.

After a mammoth hearing, the suspension was upheld meaning Neale would miss the 2026 Grand Final against Fremantle.

But the back-to-back premiers have now taken the case to the Appeals Board as they strive to have Neale cleared to play against his former club in the season decider.

Neale will address the media at Melbourne airport when the Lions arrive at approximately 3:20pm AEST on Wednesday.

The hearing will take place on Thursday at 4pm AEST.