Lachie Neale Wins Appeal, Cleared to Play in AFL Grand Final

Brisbane Lions player Lachie Neale has won his appeal against a one-match suspension and will be eligible to play in the AFL Grand Final on Saturday. The Appeals Board overturned the ban on Thursday, with Neale instead receiving a $10,000 fine.

Neale had been handed the ban for an off-the-ball incident involving Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan during the preliminary final. The club's initial challenge at the AFL tribunal on Tuesday was unsuccessful. The tribunal had upheld the charge, rejecting the Lions' plea to downgrade the penalty to a fine, citing Neale's long and distinguished career without prior suspensions.

During the tribunal hearing, Neale argued that his contact with Ginnivan was incidental, involving his arm and chest rather than a deliberate strike. He suggested Ginnivan might have exaggerated the impact. However, the tribunal chair, Jeff Gleeson KC, stated that the available footage showed a "forceful blow delivered with a swinging arm and an open hand," finding it to be an intentional strike to the midriff.

This decision means Neale, a two-time Brownlow Medal winner and co-captain of the Lions, can participate in the Grand Final against the Fremantle Dockers. The match was seen as a potential fairytale farewell for Neale, who is widely expected to move to Collingwood next season.

Neale's successful appeal prevents him from becoming the first player to miss an AFL Grand Final due to a preliminary final suspension since Anthony Rocca in 2003.