Lachie Neale Appeals AFL Ban Ahead of Grand Final

Brisbane Lions player Lachie Neale has addressed his one-game suspension after touching down in Melbourne with his teammates on Wednesday, ahead of the AFL Grand Final. The club has lodged an appeal with the AFL appeals board in an attempt to overturn the verdict.

"Obviously, as you guys would be aware, the club and myself have decided to appeal the tribunal's decision," Neale told reporters. "Obviously, very hopeful that's 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."

The Lions had until noon on Wednesday to submit their notice of appeal, with a hearing likely to take place on Thursday.

Neale received the one-match suspension for an off-the-ball incident involving Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan during last Saturday's preliminary final. The two-time premiership captain challenged the ban at the tribunal on Tuesday night, arguing he had body-checked Ginnivan rather than struck him.

After a four-and-a-half-hour hearing, the tribunal upheld the charge and denied pleas for a downgrade based on exceptional circumstances, ruling that one of the game's prominent players could miss a grand final.

The suspension not only impacts Neale's potential participation in a team aiming for a rare premiership hat-trick but also suggests his final game for the Lions may have already been played, as he is widely expected to transfer to Collingwood next season.

The incident, involving an intentional strike of medium impact and body contact, was assessed by match review officer Michael Christian. Neale contended that the contact was made with his shoulder and chest and not a strike, suggesting Ginnivan might have exaggerated the contact to draw a free kick.

"My shoulder made contact with his body and shoulder first and my arm wrapped around Jack," Neale stated. "But I didn't feel like I was striking him at all. It was more a bump or body-check."