AFL grand final: Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale on how he came back from calf injury to take on Geelong

Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale has spoken for the first time since he has defied a season-ending calf injury to be named in the grand final.

Neale, 32, tore his right calf in the qualifying final defeat to Geelong which was set to rule him out for the remainder of the Lions’ final series.

However, the dual Brownlow medallist has recovered incredibly well and only 22 days since he sustained the injury he will run out onto the MCG to take on the Cats in this year’s decider.

Neale backed himself to be able to get through a full game despite the short turnaround.

“A lot of help from the medical staff and a great plan. I think I looked like a bit of a goose on Instagram when I put up a post saying I was done for the year so I might have to take that one down,” Neale told SEN.

“It was probably a week after I was able to do a little bit more function wise than what was expected a week after. From there it progressed pretty quickly and they put a great plan in place for me.

“I am very confident I can (get through a full game) whether I will or not I’m not sure yet.

“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.”

“That’s a bit part of it. I think I hit my top speed for the year yesterday,” he said.

“I put myself through the wringer last weekend and then again yesterday because mentally you want to be really sure that you can get through and I am very confident in my body.

“I feel like I know it pretty well, been playing for 14 years and feel like I can contribute otherwise I would’ve done the same as Jarrod Berry and selflessly stepped aside like he has which is amazing from him. I am fully confident I can impact.”

The former Fremantle midfielder did an extensive rehab which involved being in a hyperbaric chamber for five days a week.

“A lot of chamber time so a lot of time with my own thoughts, so all that stuff swirls around for hours,” Neale said.

“I’ve been doing a protocol that Josh Low the high performance guy at the club which is five days in there and two days without it. I’ve done that for three weeks.

“A lot of red light (therapy). I’m not sure if all that stuff does a whole lot but even if it is that one per cent it can’t hurt. I feel fresh, I feel good so I think it has helped.”