Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has described Lachie Neale as one of many hardest gamers he has come throughout after the twin Brownlow medallist pushed via ache to assist ship the Lions a vital win.
Neale has been battling with a sore ankle, however nonetheless fronted up for his 250th recreation because the Lions pulled off a convincing 12.10 (82) to eight.12 (60) win over Melbourne on Thursday.
The 30-year-old now has an ideal successful file in milestone matches relationship again to his fiftieth when he was at Fremantle in 2015.
“He hurt his his ankle a few weeks ago and he gave it another little tweak last week,” Fagan stated of Neale.
“We only had to get six days to get him right so our medical team did a great job and Lachie did a great job himself.
“He’s one of many hardest gamers I’ve ever come throughout in footy.
“He was so determined to play and he did everything to get his ankle right during the week, and he’s done that a couple of weeks in a row now.”
Premiership favourites earlier than the primary spherical, the Lions stumbled out of the blocks by surprisingly dropping their opening three matches.
Brisbane made gentle work of North Melbourne in Gather Round to open their 2024 account, however the large take a look at was at all times going to be Melbourne.
The Lions handed it with flying colors, recording their first home-and-away win on the MCG since 2014.
“I feel like that’s one of the best games we’ve played in a long time,” Fagan stated.
“We’ve played some good games, but that was a pretty special sort of effort, and particularly in Lachie Neale’s 250th.”
The Lions will return to the Gabba subsequent Saturday evening for one more big conflict once they face Geelong.
After successful each recreation at their house floor final 12 months, the Lions will probably be determined to get on the board in Brisbane this season after dropping their first two video games on the venue to Carlton and Collingwood.
“I reckon our 0-3 was a little bit catastrophised,” Fagan stated.
“I didn’t think we were that badly out of form.
“I do not suppose our group ever misplaced confidence.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
