Neale thankful to Lions; eager to focus on Grand Final

• Whateley: Football has done Lachie Neale wrong

Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale is free to play in the 2026 AFL Grand Final against Fremantle.

Neale addressed the media last night after he was cleared to play.

He was extremely grateful to the Lions for work they did in getting him off.

“Obviously I’m very happy with the Appeal Board’s decision,” Neale told reporters.

“I’m looking forward to playing in the Grand Final now.

“I just want to thank the club, Danny (Daly) and everyone involved helping me play this weekend, and the AFL Appeals Board for their decision as well.

“After this hopefully the attention is off me and we can get ready to play on Saturday in a Grand Final.

“I just want to play my part and win. It’s a difficult challenge against Freo but hopefully we can do it.”

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir always expected Neale to play, surprised by how long it took to get to the final decision.

"I thought he would play, it has probably taken longer than expected," Longmuir told Fox Footy just moments after the verdict was handed down.

"I understand the rationale behind it. With the Tribunal, concussion and umpiring, I'm after consistency and there is some consistency in this with exemplary records.

"We wouldn't have changed our midfield and if he didn't play – one of their other guys would have moved up. They have players lining up for [midfield] time.

"We will put time into him. He's a champion of the game, so having him out there will definitely help them."

SEN's Tom Morris has given his thoughts on Lachie Neale's suspension being overturned.

Morris: "I'm so surprised at that."

The AFL's Appeal Board has given its reasoning as to why Neale's suspension has been overturned.

"In regard to whether 'exceptional and compelling circumstances' provision can apply to Neale's benefit," it read.

"We find that the Tribunal did err in having regard to whether the conduct was intentional.

"We accept the position of Neale in his written submissions that the intentional aspect was an element of the charge which had already been established.

"The relevant inquiry was whether, despite the charge having been established, there was exceptional and compelling circumstances.

"In this case, that was Neale's record.

"We find that Neale's record is exemplary, and that he should be afforded the benefit of the provision.

"In conclusion, we allow the appeal.

"We order that Neale instead be fined $10,000."

The Appeal Board has overturned the decision made by the Tribunal.

Lachie Neale will play in the 2026 AFL Grand Final.

He has been fined $10,000.

The Appeal Board believes the Tribunal did not consider his record enough.

The Grand Final teams have been named.

Check the sides out here

It's been 20 minutes, and they are still deliberating.

Hopefully, it isn't too much longer.

The Appeal Board has begun deliberating.

Woods is now arguing that Brisbane's proposal of Neale serving his suspension next year could create an unfair precedent.

Woods: “A player who committed an offence in a preliminary final is in a better position than a player who commits the same offence in Round 1."

“Respectfully, that just can’t be right.”

He has now concluded his submission to the Appeal Board.

Andrew Woods KC is beginning the AFL's submission.

And he starts off with a sharp jab towards his opposition.

Woods: "I'll endeavour to be within the 45 minutes. I think I should be able to come in under that."

And gives an assessment to boot around the idea that the Tribunal didn't give any consideration to the fact of missing a massive game like the Grand Final.

"Frankly, it's a pretty brave submission..."

Anderson has now brought the Appeal Board's attention to an incident involving Scott Pendlebury and Lachie Neale from 2024.

Neale was struck by Pendlebury with an open hand, resulting in Neale going to ground and appearing to be in pain.

Pendlebury got off with a fine, but this came at a time before the AFL's crackdown on this issue.

The Appeal Board chair Richard Loveridge has encouraged Anderson to be more concise with his argument.

Loveridge: "I think there's a sense in the room, if you could promptly deal with the matter that it'd be appreciated."

The Lions are remaining steadfast in their belief that the Tribunal didn't give enough consideration to the 'exceptional and compelling circumstances' provision.

Anderson: “The whole purpose of this provision is to say, OK, you can make a mistake because Mr Neale as one of the greatest and fairest players ever, you deserve a little bit of leniency here.”

The Lions are continuing to argue that Neale's impeccable record should be given more of a consideration, with Anderson arguing it is "something close to a unicorn".

It's an interesting analogy to say the least.

They are continuing down the line that the Tribunal has not considered the fact that Neale will miss the Grand Final enough, having not mentioned it in their reasoning for upholding the ban, with Anderson using a ruling from the High Court.

Anderson (Lions) has begun making Brisbane's case.

Their main argument is centred on Tuesday's findings being an error of law on the basis of 'exceptional and compelling circumstances'

The Lions believe his exceptional record of no suspensions in his 320-game career was not given the consideration it should have for what they argue is 'for a relatively minor offence'.

They have proposed that Neale should either be fined $10,000 or serve his suspension for his first game in 2027.

However, with Neale likely heading to Collingwood, that throws up a potential headache amongst several others.

The new evidence from Champion Data will not be admitted into the Appeal Board's decision.

This means either the Lions or AFL cannot use it as part of its case.

Appeal Board Chair Richard Loveridge has explained his reasoning.

"I do not wish to admit the evidence ... we are here to assess the decision of the Tribunal, who came to it on the evidence before them and I'd like to stick to that simple principle."

(Quote from David Zita on X)

The new evidence reportedly hurt Neale's case for overturning the suspension.

It's an early result for Brisbane.

Anderson (Lions): "Hard to see how this (new) vision has any relevance."

The new vision from Champion Data has already been brought up.

The AFL is planning on using this as part of its case to uphold the suspension, with a discussion being had around whether it will be allowed. But they have also declared they are happy to go without it.

In the meantime, the Lions have raised an issue with it, asking why it wasn't available during Tuesday's meeting.

Brisbane has also made the case that new evidence cannot be used at the Appeals Board unless it "could not by reasonable diligence have been obtained" at the end of Tuesday's hearing.

We're officially underway after a three-minute delay from the initial start time.

Adrian Anderson will be representing Neale and the Brisbane Lions whilst Andrew Woods KC is with the AFL.

In the background of this case, the teams for both Fremantle and Brisbane are expected to be named at 6:20pm today.

Should this run beyond that time, Neale will likely be named in the Lions' best 23.

If the ban is upheld, it will see an emergency take his place in the team.

We're back again for Round 2!

The AFL Appeals Board is about to sit in 30 minutes to determine whether Lachie Neale's one-match suspension will stand for Brisbane's Grand Final clash against Fremantle.

The AFL Tribunal deliberated on the matter in a marathon session on Tuesday night and upheld the decision made by the MRO.

But SEN's Sam Edmund has reported that new vision has emerged, which is believed to hurt the dual Brownlow Medallist's chances.

If it's anything like Tuesday night, we're in for a long one!

Lachie Neale has broken his silence over the club's unsuccessful trial at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.

The Tribunal denied the club's attempt to overturn his one match ban after a four-hour marathon trial.

Neale spoke at Melbourne Airport on Wednesday as he and the Brisbane Lions arrived ahead of Saturday's Grand Final.

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

"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."

Dayne Zorko also shared his thoughts on the suspension and how the club is dealing with the week.

"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 can't get carried away about it just being a 'Lachie Neale' team. We're the Brisbane Lions, we've got a lot of players on our list.

"We played a few finals last year without him as well. We'll let that run its course. We're not going to get distracted by that; it's not our business to get distracted by it.

"We'd love him to be out there and hope he's out there. But, if he's not, our 'next man up' mentality is going to come into play."

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.