AFL grand final 2025: Lachie Neale to start as sub for Brisbane Lions against Geelong Cats
Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale is expected to be named as the sub for today’s AFL Grand Final.
Neale, who has made a miraculous return from a calf injury suffered during the Lions’ qualifying loss to Geelong, was named in Brisbane’s starting 23 on Thursday night.
He admitted yesterday he was unsure if he would be able to play a full game against the Cats, and coach Chris Fagan said he believed the star was 100 per cent fit.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Hours ahead of the bounce, 7NEWS reporter Mitch Cleary is reporting Neale will be the sub, and Bruce Reville will start in the side as Brisbane chase back-to-back AFL flags.
Neale said on Friday he was confident he could play and hinted he could be the sub which has now been confirmed this morning.
“I am very confident I can (get through a full game) whether I will or not I’m not sure yet,” Neale said.
“I actually haven’t spoken to him (coach Chris Fagan) all that much. I spoke to him early in the week and he said I’ve just got to tick all the boxes and get through the three sessions.
“Yesterday he said ‘you’ll be in the 23’. I’m not sure what that looks like in terms of the 22 or the sub yet, but (I’m) in so I am thankful he has given me the opportunity.”
Neale didn’t do much during the Lions’ captain’s run at the MCG on Friday, but the 32-year-old rarely extends himself a day before the game.
He was mostly restricted to handballing with assistant coach Cameron Bruce and kicking to teammates, without testing his calf at all.
In his first grand final back in 2013, Neale was the starting sub in Fremantle’s loss against Hawthorn.
Neale hasn’t started as the sub since round one, 2014.
The 32-year-old had already proven his fitness with a big session last Saturday, then during further training on Tuesday and Thursday.
Neale replaces injured teammate Jarrod Berry as the only change from last week’s preliminary final win against Collingwood at the MCG.
“I’ve copped a fair bit from the Cats fans out there (during the grand final parade) that I wasn’t right, so I’ve heard it all week,” Neale said.
“We have 22 other pretty good stories that hopefully get a run over the next couple of days.
“There’s some special stories in our group, and I’m a bit sick of mine.”
While Neale was able to tell coach Chris Fagan he was right to go at Thurs
The two-time Brownlow Medallist said it had been a hectic week for him as he trained the house down to be judged fit enough to play.
“It’s been a little bit of a roller-coaster, emotionally,” he said.
“The last couple of weeks, I’ve just tried to focus on my rehab and sort of home in on that and support the boys through a couple of really good finals where they’ve performed so well.
“Really proud of the guys to get in this position.”
