AFL appeals board live updates: Legends react to Neale news that could reshape grand final
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How did Neale get off?
The appeal board has concluded that the tribunal did not give sufficient weight to Lachie Neale’s “extraordinary” record of 320 games without a suspension, nor his two Brownlow medal wins.
The board determined that due to this, the evidence was enough to overturn the one-game ban that Neale had been hit with and clear him to play on Saturday.
There is no doubt that Brisbane fans will be elated with that ruling.
Dockers making no changes in wake of Neale result
Dockers coach Justin Longmuir has confirmed that he had no plans to alter his midfield based on the final result of Lachie Neale’s hearing tonight.
Longmuir revealed he was pretty confident that Neale would be cleared to play in the match, but he was surprised by how long that conclusion took to reach.
“I thought he would play, it has probably taken longer than expected,” he told Fox Footy’s AFL 360.
“I understand the rationale behind it. With the tribunal, concussion and umpiring, I’m after consistency and there is some consistency in this with exemplary records.
“We wouldn’t have changed our midfield and if he didn’t play – one of their other guys would have moved up. They have players lining up for [midfield] time.
“We will put time into him. He’s a champion of the game, so having him out there will definitely help them.”
Will we ever see the new footage?
The AFL world learned that there was new vision of Neale’s incident earlier today, but will the public ever get to see that footage?
Well, no one really knows.
It is likely that the vision could be leaked over the coming days. If not, I guess we will never know how clear the new footage really was.
Regardless, Lachie Neale is free to play in the grand final.
Grand final day schedule
Here is the AFL grand final day schedule for 2026.
All timings are in AEST
10.30am | Gates open at the MCG
1.30pm | Kylie Minogue pre-game show
2.30pm | First bounce
WATCH: Harris Andrews speaks
‘Who says it’s my last game?’
Lachie Neale’s last-ditch attempt to play in the grand final has proved successful, with the appeal’s board downgrading his sanction to a $10,000 fine.
Just days after a mammoth four-hour hearing at the tribunal, Neale and the Lions fronted the appeal board in hopes to get his sanction cleared due to the small details that were absent in the ruling made on his case earlier this week.
While the AFL brought new “sharper” footage to the board on Thursday, the vision was not eligible to be used. The AFL’s barrister delivered a 45-minute address to prove the organisation’s position to be correct.
But the short delivery proved not enough to uphold the decision, with Neale and the Lions celebrating his chance to compete for a third-straight premiership.
Lloyd reveals Lions were not hopeful Neale would be cleared
Essendon great Matthew Lloyd admits he is glad to see Neale cleared to play.
Lloyd revealed he had been in contact with an unnamed official from the Lions who was not confident that the appeal hearing would be successful like it was.
“I agree with this decision,” he said on Nine’s The Footy Show Grand Final Telethon.
“I think it was too big a penalty to pay to miss a grand final. Yes, it was silly, but it was a decision that (the Lions) felt they had 15 per cent chance of getting off.”
Noah Ainsworth is the unlucky player who has missed out on a chance to play for the flag in wake of the appeal board’s conclusion this evening.
“That is harsh for Noah,” Nathan Brown added.
‘This is good for footy’: Brown reacts
Nathan Brown has no qualms with the ruling made by the appeal board tonight.
“I think this is good for footy,” Brown said on Nine’s The Footy Show Grand Final Telethon
“He is the best player in the game over the last few years. We want the big name players [in the grand final].
“There will be people saying ‘this is the thing we wanted to stamp out’ ... but I think there are a different set of rules for grand finals.
“Lachie Neale is playing against his old team. There will be plenty of boos going on when he gets the football, but the game will be better for it.”
WATCH: Neale’s reaction after the hearing
‘See you on Saturday’: Dockers fan reacts
A number of fans were nearby when the media spoke to Neale after the hearing.
One Fremantle fan walked up to the Lions midfielder as he moved away from the media and shook his hand. He then said: “Congratulations, we will see you on Saturday.”
Neale breaks his silence
Lachie Neale has just spoken to reporters about the outcome of his hearing.
He will be required to pay a $10,000 fine.
“I am very happy with the appeal board’s decision,” he said.
“I am looking forward to playing the grand final now ... hopefully the attention is now off me and we can get ready to play in the grand final.”
Neale added: “I wasn’t very hopeful or doubtful. I’ve never been in this situation so I wasn’t sure how it would play out.
“The (last couple of days) have been nerve-wracking. In footy finals territory, I wasn’t sure what to do with myself.
“I wouldn’t say I have a point to prove on Saturday. I just want to play my part. It will be a difficult challenge against Freo, but hopefully, we can get it done.”
