AFL flag is Neale’s key focus as Brownlow history looms
Few AFL players have had a grand final week of more consequence than what’s coming for Lachie Neale.
On Monday night, the Brisbane co-captain will join one of the game’s most select clubs if he wins his third Brownlow Medal. Only four other players have achieved the feat.
Then on Saturday, he plays in his third grand final when the Lions take on Sydney. As coach Chris Fagan notes, given the other two were losses, the Brownlow might not be top of Neale’s priorities.
Neale ended his second season with Fremantle’s 2013 grand final loss to Hawthorn. This time last year, he won his second Brownlow five days before the Lions lost one of the all-time great premiership deciders to Collingwood.
It’s not the worst grand final record – Richmond great Jack Titus had six losses – but not even the fiercest Sydney fan would deny that Neale is probably due.
Then throw in that Neale is nursing a foot injury that involves wearing a moon boot after each game.
“It’s probably the last thing on my mind – and probably on his mind. He desperately wants to be involved in a winning grand final team and I would probably suggest that’s more important to him,” Fagan said.
“He’s doing it a little bit tough physically at the moment, getting from game to game, but he’ll be right to go next week.
“He’d have to be a real chance. He’s a proven vote winner.”
Neale racked up 12 clearances – double anyone else in the game – to star against the Cats, despite not being 100 per cent fit.
“He can handle injury. He’s played a lot over the last three or four years with things that most human beings wouldn’t consider playing football with,” Fagan said.
“That’s just him – he has those chunky little legs of his that are so strong, that’s what helps get him through.”
Those chunky legs have carried Neale through another stellar season, to put him again firmly in the Brownlow conversation.
The 2020 Brownlow winner is third favourite, behind Carlton captain Patrick Cripps and Collingwood ball magnet Nick Daicos, with Western Bulldogs great Marcus Bontempell also a big chance.
Last year, Neale was an outsider at $13. This time, he is at $8.
“It’s incredibly humbling – and I pinch myself – that I’m that conversation,” Neale said.
“But I think Patrick and Nick are going to be very hard to catch. They will be the two runaway leaders – maybe Caleb Serong (Fremantle) as a smoky.
“To be in those discussions again is very humbling. Brisbane (in the grand final) is a good omen for me – who knows?”
Along with Neale potentially winning his third Brownlow, two other milestones have also been mentioned ahead of this count.
The last time an ineligible player polled the most votes was Western Bulldogs great Chris Grant in 1997. Sydney star Isaac Heeney, suspended in round 17, will most likely lead the count at halfway.
Also, the last year featuring multiple winners was 2003, when Sydney’s Adam Goodes, Adelaide’s Mark Ricciuto and Collingwood’s Nathan Buckley.
The AFL has four Brownlows on standby. One of them will be flown to Brisbane, where Neale will be the centre of attention at a club dinner.
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