Lachie Neale will miss Saturday’s AFL Grand Final after his one-game suspension was upheld after a marathon hearing at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.
The Brisbane Lions midfielder was handed a one-match suspension for a gut punch on Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan off the ball during the preliminary final, which Brisbane appealed.
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Neale gave evidence claiming it was a “bodycheck” instead of a strike, but after a hearing that lasted more than four-and-a-half hours including two hours of deliberation, the Tribunal upheld the striking ban.
The Lions star joins a short list of players who have missed a grand final due to suspension.
The 33-year-old has now likely played his final game for Brisbane with an off-season move to Collingwood seen as a certainty for the two-time Brownlow Medallist.
It’s likely not the end of the saga, with Brisbane certain to appeal the decision again at the AFL Appeals Board later in the week.
It’s a brutal blow for Neale, who will miss out on the chance to play in a premiership three-peat in what would have been his final game for Brisbane.
Recap the Tribunal’s findings below.