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Lions GM: The real reason why Neale started as sub
Nicholas Quinlan • September 27th, 2025 8:54 pm
Brisbane's General Manager of Football Danny Daly has revealed the true reason as to why Lachie Neale was named as the sub.
Throughout the week, the dual Brownlow Medallist was under an injury cloud after suffering a calf injury during their Qualifying Final loss.
However, Neale would find a way to make himself available for the Grand Final and played an instrumental role in their 47-point win as the sub with 17 disposals and a goal to boot.
While Daly had no doubts that if fit Neale would play but decided to make him the sub due to a lack of playing time, considering that he had only played one game between Round 22 to the Grand Final.
"To the media's defence, they don't see what's going on within the four walls and how much Lachie puts into doing what he does," Daly said post-game.
"Even during the week, with his craft, trying to be the best footballer he can possibly be.
"Well, he did that to the extreme levels again with his ability to try and fight this calf injury and working around the clock 24/7.
"Myself and 'Fages' (Chris Fagan) were having conversations along the way over the last three weeks.
"We had a couple (of conversations) on Sunday morning to Monday with him, and we were always of the belief that if the medical staff said he was fit to play and Lachie said he was fit to play, we were going to pick him.
"And Thursday morning, we probably decided that the sub was the best role.
"That wasn't of the back of his calf tear, that was more that he had only played one game in like 64 (days) and Grand Finals, as you guys know, are full on.
"There's a lot that goes into it, so we were a little bit concerned about whether he would be able to get through that period...so that was always in the back of our heads.
"We would bring him on at half-time, depending on what the score was and what was happening, and we pulled the trigger a couple of minutes before half-time.
"I thought he did an unbelievable job when he came on."
