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Find your frequency hereNeale reveals how Lions “went to work” on Hawks drawing high frees
Connor Scanlon • May 26th, 2025 3:01 pm
Brisbane star Lachie Neale has revealed that nullifying Hawthorn’s controversial ability to draw high tackle free kicks was a key part of the Lions' game plan in their 33-point victory at the MCG on Saturday.
Hawthorn have received more high tackle free kicks than any team this season, thanks in part to a tactic where players position their bodies to draw high contact.
But on Saturday, the Lions turned the tables, conceding just 13 free kicks to Hawthorn while winning 23 themselves.
Speaking on SEN Breakfast, Neale said it was a deliberate strategy the team had studied throughout the week.
“We spent a fair bit of time on that,” Neale said.
“We reviewed sort of their technique on how to draw the high free kicks.
“They’ve got a few guys that are really high in the competition, I think top 10 for free kicks for high tackles.
“So, we went to work on that and I thought we executed really well on the weekend.
“It was important (to the victory).”
Neale further explained how the Lions' discipline in the contest helped shut down a major scoring weapon for the Hawks and was a pivotal reason why Brisbane controlled the game.
“Some (Hawthorn) guys sort of look for that contact (to) get that high free kick,” Neale exclaimed.
“So, we sort of corralled a little bit more and tackled at the right time.
“Yeah, I thought our technique on the weekend was really good to prevent (the Hawthorn free kicks).”
However, Brisbane didn’t just stop the Hawks sneaky tactic - they used it against them.
“Zac Bailey used (the Hawthorn) technique pretty well to get a goal for us,” Neale joked.
With the Lions figuring out how to reduce Hawthorns high tackle free kicks, the rest of the competition will also be studying how to mitigate the sneaky Hawks.
