Lachie Neale Trains Strongly as Brisbane Lions Grand Final Return Nears

Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale is making a strong push for a miraculous return to the AFL Grand Final despite a calf injury initially expected to sideline him for the season. Neale, a two-time Brownlow medallist, has been training well with non-contact drills and running sessions, buoyed by a large crowd of around 2,000 fans during a recent practice at the Lions' Springfield base. His teammate Jarrod Berry, suffering from a second shoulder dislocation, is limited to non-contact work and appears unlikely to play in the upcoming match against Geelong. Although Brisbane has demonstrated strong performances and victories in Neale's absence, including wins over Gold Coast and Collingwood, his return is seen as a significant boost by teammates such as vice-captain Hugh McCluggage, who emphasized the team’s confidence regardless of the outcome. The team prepares to fly to Melbourne, ready to face Geelong with a mindset focused on their best performance. Neale’s potential comeback is viewed as a major factor given his skill and impact in last year’s Grand Final win over Sydney.