Lachie Neale knew his All-Australian snub was coming, the Brisbane Lions midfielder admitting he does “keep receipts” in an ominous warning earlier than the aspect’s dwelling AFL qualifying last towards Port Adelaide.
The co-captain missed out on a fourth blazer final week, teammate Charlie Cameron the one Lion to win All-Australian honours in a 17-6 season ok for second.
Brisbane enter because the competitors’s greatest clearance group, averaging virtually seven greater than their opponents throughout the season.
Neale weathered shut consideration to play each recreation within the common season, his 8.1 clearances per contest two higher than his profession common.
“I probably knew maybe a month out when (All-Australian voting panellists) Cornsey (Kane Cornes) and I think it was Bucks (Nathan Buckley) said I wasn’t in very good form,” Neale mentioned forward of Saturday’s Gabba conflict.
“Keep receipts? Sometimes.
“When you get to my age and experience you take little pieces of things to find motivation and keep you going.
“That’s all part of it; I’ve been around long enough to not let those decisions and accolades impact me.
“To finish second on the ladder and only have one All-Australian; I think it’s actually a positive.”
Brisbane carry a 3-6 finals file underneath coach Chris Fagan into this 12 months’s collection nevertheless it’s an area Neale has relished.
His 39 disposals, 15 clearances and an important late deal with in a slender defeat of Richmond in final 12 months’s elimination last was hailed as “one of the great finals games you’ll ever see” by Fagan.
“He’s a pretty good player, isn’t he?,” retiring teammate Daniel Rich mentioned of Neale.
Rich mentioned his 30-year-old colleague would “probably give back his Brownlow Medal to hold up the cup”.
“He really thrives on those big games, those big finals moments,” he mentioned.
“I’m excited to see what those big calves can do come September and would love to see him up on the dais.”
The Power completed with the identical file as Brisbane and stunned the Lions in a formidable round-one defeat in Adelaide.
The Lions are settled and can regain Lincoln McCarthy (calf), with the most important choice questions resting with the Power as Charlie Dixon (foot), Scott Lycett (knee) and Trent McKenzie (knee) push their instances to return.
Brisbane haven’t misplaced on the Gabba all season and would host the preliminary last there in the event that they win on Saturday.
“We’re confident in our football and this year more than ever we’re playing good football against good teams,” Neale mentioned.
“More than ever the belief is strong in this group.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
