Lachie Neale faces missing the AFL grand final against Fremantle after receiving a one-match suspension for striking Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan. The Lions confirmed they will challenge the MRO ban at the tribunal ahead of Saturday’s match at the MCG.
The Brisbane Lions are racing to overturn a pivotal tribunal ruling that threatens to sideline two-time Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale for Saturday’s grand final against Fremantle at the MCG. The suspension stems from an off-the-ball incident in the first quarter of Saturday night’s preliminary final against Hawthorn.
The Incident and Match Review Officer Ruling
Vision of the clash showed Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan wrestling with Brisbane forward Eric Hipwood near the 50-metre line before Neale jogged over and delivered a left-handed punch to the midriff. The AFL’s match review officer reviewed the footage on Sunday and handed down a one-match ban, grading the contact as intentional, of medium impact, and to the body.
New match review guidelines dictate that intentional strikes to the stomach are automatically graded as medium impact rather than low, carrying a mandatory one-match penalty. Nine players have been suspended for similar offenses this season, and the two who previously challenged those rulings at the tribunal were unsuccessful.
Despite those figures, the Lions immediately confirmed they will challenge the ban at the tribunal. Brisbane intends to front the hearing in a high-stakes bid to prevent the star from missing the grand final.
Neale himself was crushed by a bump from Jai Newcombe in the opening seconds of the game. The hit made contact with his jaw and forced him from the field momentarily. The AFL explained there would be no further action
for the clash. At a centre ball-up Newcombe is jostling for position with Josh Dunkley on one side of the centre circle whilst Neale is jostling with Josh Ward on the opposite side,
the AFL explained. As the ball comes off the ruck contest, Dunkley pushes Newcombe whilst Ward simultaneously pushes Neale as they position themselves to contest the ball which results in Newcombe making contact with Neale.
Adelaide forward Riley Thilthorpe and Hawthorn pair James Sicily and Dylan Moore have all been suspended over similar incidents this season. It comes after former Lions CEO Greg Swann – in his new role as AFL football boss – brought in a minimum one-match penalty for
Tribunal Strategy and Precedents
Neale’s legal defense team faces a narrow pathway to clear the 33-year-old midfielder. One plausible angle involves arguing that Ginnivan played on seemingly without discomfort, which could possibly form part of Neale’s defence if he seeks to get the charge downgraded to a low-impact strike.
Alternatively, the club may lean on the player’s exemplary record clause. Under AFL regulations, a player with an exemplary record may argue that their good record constitutes exceptional and compelling circumstances
. Neale has never been suspended in his 320-match career and could use the same clause that helped Scott Pendlebury escape suspension for his bump on Adelaide’s Josh Worrell this season.
Broader Fallout and Off-Field Context
A failed appeal would keep Neale out of the lineup as Brisbane chases a rare premiership hat-trick. It would also mark a bitter end to his tenure in Queensland, with the veteran midfielder widely expected to join Collingwood as a free agent in the off-season. Neale faced similar grand final selection drama last year, except it revolved around an injury cloud going into the decider where he played as a substitute, shedding the vest in the second half and starring as his team charged to its second successive premiership.
Now with a Lions three-peat on the line, Neale is again the focus of grand final week. Although he hasn’t been in peak form this finals series, Neale – a former Lions captain – remains a pivotal cog in Brisbane’s midfield.
Hawthorn Penalties and Preliminary Final Aftermath
The fiery preliminary final concluded with a dramatic nine-point win for Brisbane over Hawthorn at the MCG in Saturday night’s preliminary final. Meanwhile, Hawks fans throw bottles at umpires, and Hawthorn fans are condemned for their behaviour after the siren following a heart-stopping preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions at the MCG.
Meanwhile, Hawks pair James Sicily and Tom Barrass have been fined $10,000 and $5,000 respectively for abusing umpire Hayden Meyer following the frenetic finish to the match.
Neale will front the tribunal but, if unsuccessful, will miss Saturday’s grand final against Fremantle at the MCG.