Gossage: Why Neale’s presence is a positive for Freo

SEN WA’s Tim Gossage has made a bold call relating to Lachie Neale’s presence in the 2026 Grand Final against Fremantle.

The Brisbane Lions midfielder was cleared to play in the season decider against Freo by the Appeals Board after initially copping a one-game ban.

Gossage was previewing the Grand Final when Kane Cornes asked him if he was worried about Freo’s small defenders taking on Brissie’s gun small forwards.

“I look at the lineup and I think who are their small defenders that will play on Zac Bailey, Charlie Cameron, Kai Lohmann, Cam Rayner…,” Cornes said on Fireball.

“They’re vulnerable when the ball hits the deck inside their defensive 50. Can you trust them?

“That’s the one area I’m concerned about for your Dockers.”

Gossage responded: “That’s fair, and it’s an argument that everyone is having.”

Before suggesting that the presence of two-time Brownlow Medallist and four-time All-Australian Neale might actually advantage the Dockers.

“But I also think that Lachie Neale getting off is a positive for Fremantle,” he continued.

“I watched some down the ground vision which I had access to and he’s a good player, don’t get me wrong.

“But he’s a bit of a downhill skier when it matters.”

Neale overcame a calf injury to star in the second half of last year’s Grand Final triumph over Geelong, picking up 17 disposals in 44 per cent game time.

In 2024 he amassed 35 touches in the crushing win over Sydney where he ran second to Will Ashcroft in Norm Smith voting.