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"He's a chance": Fagan speaks on Lachie Neale's Grand Final prospects
SEN • September 21st, 2025 11:00 am
Brisbane dual Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale is facing the prospect of a shock Grand Final return.
Following Saturday night's brilliant win over the Magpies, Brisbane have stormed into their third straight Grand Final, however it hasn't come without concern.
Within the contest, a number of Lions went down with injury issues, joining Neale as first-team locks walking a tightrope ahead of the final fixture.
32-year-old Neale was unfortunately sidelined with a calf tear during Brisbane's Qualifying Final loss to Geelong, an injury that all but put his season on ice.
That said, the 2024 Gary Ayres Medallist has given himself every chance of an unlikely return, putting himself back in the frame a week out from the big dance.
“I've ticked every box so far, I've had to,” Neale said on Saturday night.
“I will train as normal next week. I tested that today and it went really well. Hopefully Fages picks me.
“It is exciting... but there are still a couple of hoops to jump through, and I have to get the old boy to pick me, too. So, I have to get in his ear pretty early in the week.”
Speaking post game, Lions coach Chris Fagan confirmed that Neale remained a chance of selection, requiring a strong week on the track to confirm his spot in the side.
“He's doing a lot of work, and he had a really good training session this morning. It's looking more positive than negative at the moment,” Fagan said.
“We'll just have to wait and see how he gets through the week. It won't be long before we're back down here because I think we're coming back down on Wednesday. We'll see how he goes.
“I didn't think he'd be a chance to play, but I think he is a chance to play. I don't know. I'm going to talk to the medical people about that.
“They'll make a sensible decision. If it's too risky, it won't happen, but if they don't think it is, then we'll play him.”
Beyond Neale, midfielder Jarrod Berry also went down with what appeared to be a rather serious shoulder concern, dislocating his troublesome left shoulder for the second time in five weeks.
While the injury ruled him out of the Preliminary Final win, Fagan and the Lions' medical staff are refusing to put a line through the 2024 Premiership star.
“The medical staff haven't written him (Berry) off either. We'll wait and see. It didn't look good and obviously he couldn't continue the game,” Fagan said.
“But again, the risk will be if he plays, will it pop out again? So, lots to talk about there. I haven't really had a chance to talk to our medical staff. We'll just wait and see.
“But one thing I do know is you can't take unfit players into grand finals. It just doesn't work. So, we'll make a common sense decision.”
Crucially, Fagan also confirmed that star Josh Dunkley will be fit and firing after he suffered a minor ankle injury.
The midfielder was taken to the rooms during the second half of Brisbane's win over Collingwood, and while reports have stated that Dunkley left the stadium in a moonboot, Fagan confirmed that he will be available for selection come next week.
“He rolled his ankle and had to have it retaped but was able to come back onto the ground. He’ll be fine for next week.”
The Lions will need a huge response on Grand Final day, as they face a Geelong side that sent them packing in the first week of September.
