Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale rates himself a “50 per cent” chance to return from injury in the AFL grand final if the Lions topple Collingwood to qualify.
Neale’s season appeared over when he limped off the field with a calf issue late in Brisbane’s qualifying final defeat to Geelong.
The two-time Brownlow Medal winner missed the Lions’ 53-point semi-final thrashing of local rivals Gold Coast on Saturday night, and will also sit out the preliminary final against Collingwood.
But Neale could be in the frame for a surprise comeback the following week if the Lions reach a third straight season decider.
The reigning premiers are riding high after their win over the Suns and have been further buoyed by Neale’s positive outlook.
“He’s as mentally tough as they come, so I’m definitely not ruling him out,” Lions defender Ryan Lester told SEN on Sunday.
“I thought it was all over for him, but I didn’t actually realise he was doing the hyperbaric chamber stuff and saunas and all this recovery stuff that he’s been doing this week away from the club.
An under-strength Brisbane outfit stood up tall in Neale’s absence in the semi-final win over Gold Coast. (Getty Images: Bradley Kanaris)
“I actually saw him this morning — I had my son’s fifth birthday party and he was there — he was pretty positive about how he’s tracking.
“All he’s going to do is give himself a shot, and obviously we’ve got to win this weekend to give him any chance.
“But he’s certainly a chance, that’s for sure.”
On Saturday, Neale admitted he held a far more optimistic view about his chances than Brisbane medical staff did.
“I’m giving myself a 50 per cent chance,” Neale told Fox Footy.
“But I think the physios and the doctors and the rest of the medical fraternity are giving me about a one per cent chance.
“I spoke about it this afternoon. I think in 20 years’ time I’d be kicking myself if I didn’t try everything in my power to get up for it.
“If the dominoes fall my way and that one per cent does come through, then it would be an amazing story.”
AAP