'Not going to talk': Lions coach Chris Fagan coy on mysterious Lachie Neale grand final role

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan has hinted that star midfielder Lachie Neale might start the AFL grand final as the club's substitute, despite having confidence in his fitness.

The Lions are keeping a tight lid on their strategy for the premiership decider, leaving many to question how much Neale will play on Saturday.

Neale's season appeared to be over after he suffered a calf strain two weeks ago in the qualifying final against now-grand final opponent Geelong.

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This was the second time Neale had sustained the injury this season, having also done so against Fremantle in round 23, which caused him to miss several weeks.

However, he has made a miraculous recovery and, on Thursday, was named in the Lions' side to take on the Cats, replacing the injured Jarrod Berry (shoulder).

The dual Brownlow Medallist used a hyperbaric chamber and red light therapy to accelerate his rehab, getting through the Lions' main training sessions this week without any issues.

Speaking to media before the grand final parade on Friday, Fagan admitted that he would be "mad" to overlook Neale, even with concerns about his calf and playing only one match in seven weeks.

"We wouldn't play him if there was a risk," he said.

"[Neale] trained heavily on the weekend, and he's done both training sessions this week. If you watched him train, you'd be mad not to pick him.

"The medical people have ticked him off, so [picking him is] what we're doing.

"I am not going to talk about the line-ups. They come out an hour before the game, and we'll leave it until then."

During the grand final parade, Neale confirmed his fitness, saying he felt good and had recovered well from an 80-minute training session at Ikon Park on Thursday.

"I've pulled up fine," he told Fox Footy.

"I did a bigger session last weekend and pulled up well from that.

"I was pretty confident that it would pull up well from yesterday, which it has. I feel good."

Lions co-captain alongside Neale, Harris Andrews, claimed Neale's return is a "major" boost for the team, highlighting his inspirational impact and expecting him to be a major force in the midfield.

"It's obviously massive, he's been a huge part of our team for the last six or seven years," he said during his press conference.

"He's an unbelievable footballer and I think a real spirit lifter within our group.

"To see how hard he's worked since that qualifying final and get back and play has been inspirational, and we'll certainly be leaning on him to come in and have an impact."

Opposing skipper Patrick Dangerfield remained wary of Neale, showing a high level of respect for the two-time All-Australian, despite the uncertainty around his injury.

"He's a pretty good player … he's won two Brownlows and multiple All Australians, best and fairests. The guy has done it all," he said.

"We're pretty respectful of how bloody good he is, and even [though] he didn't complete the whole game last time, he finished with mid-30s [disposals].

"He's an absolute star. We're mindful of how good he can be, but it's not just Lachie, it's others as well, obviously.

"Looking at the vision, he looked pretty good the other day. Our guys will have to be at our best inside the contest and outside of it."

The final teams will be announced one hour before the first bounce on Saturday.

It is possible that Neale could start as Brisbane's sub, a role he has not played since round 1, 2014, with Fremantle.

He also served as the substitute for the Dockers in the 2013 grand final.