The decision to overturn Lachie Neale’s ban and allow him to play in Saturday’s grand final has been described as “utterly shambolic”.

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Neale and Brisbane’s legal team had on Thursday appealed the one-match ban he was handed for striking Hawk Jack Ginnivan.

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In their argument was a push to have Neale fined, or even serve his suspension in Round 1 instead of a grand final in an appeal described by Fox Footy’s David Zita as “a cry for help effectively from the Lions and asking for mercy”.

Lachie Neale and red circleSource: Supplied

Even more remarkably, clear vision of the moment Neale struck Ginnivan did emerge on Thursday morning – but after the Lions saw the Champion Data video they claimed it was “inadmissable”.

The Appeals Board agreed the new vision could not be used in Thursday’s hearing and in a verdict Melbourne great Garry Lyon said left him “floored”, it was determined that due to Neale’s exemplary record he “should be afforded the benefit” and instead fined $10,000.

“I have never been more shocked by a decision in my years covering these tribunal and appeal hearings,” Zita told Fox Footy.

“It seemed unbelievable.

“The most extraordinary decision I can recall.

“Lachie Neale himself looked like he was in disbelief.”

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AFL360 hosts Gerard Whateley and Garry Lyon agreed the decision to fine and not ban Neale was the right one – but questioned the process it took to get there.

“It became clear there actually was definitive vision but the AFL never sought it out,” Whateley reported.

“Champion Data have 46 mounted cameras around the MCG running a project for the AFL around optical tracking.

“And no one thought to check, ‘Hey did one of your cameras pick this up?’

“(Brisbane) saw the vision and thought ‘Holy hell, we can’t use that!’ because I’m suggesting to you that it shows exactly what was suspected all along.

Brisbane Lions arrive at Melbourne Airport.Source: News Corp Australia

“The biggest tribunal case of the year didn’t have a key piece of information as evidence.

“If the Lions had pursued the case on the grounds of the verdict, it would have been shown.

“And it would have shown him striking Ginnivan.

“It would have changed the whole nature of the case.

“Neale would have pleaded guilty, taken whole responsibility, thrown himself at the mercy of the court and relied on his record.”

“And been found guilty, given a $10,000 fine, and you can play!” Lyon added.

“So we got there in the end,” Whateley replied.

“But honestly this is ill-befitting the status of this competition, the case and the stage of the grand final.

“People should hang their head over this, those in charge. It’s no good.”

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Lyon described the fine as an “entirely appropriate decision”, but agreed the drama and delays in reaching the verdict was unnecessary.

“How utterly shambolic the process is, but at the end of the day the right decision has been made,” he said.

“$10,000 is substantial, the whack was stupid – it’s worthy of a week in home and away and it’s worthy of him and his record allowing to play in the grand final.

“I want to be clear on this – the Brisbane Lions went ‘Hello!’, full bottle let’s get a look at this vision. Had a look at it and went (clicks tongue) inadmissable.

“Inadmissable for one reason.

“It is utterly shambolic to arrive at a decision that ultimately could have been arrived at had the vision been available on day one.”