{"id":143143,"date":"2025-09-14T18:26:38","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T18:26:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/143143\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T18:26:38","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T18:26:38","slug":"lachie-neale-gives-himself-50-per-cent-chance-of-improbable-grand-final-appearance-after-calf-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/143143\/","title":{"rendered":"Lachie Neale gives himself ’50 per cent’ chance of improbable grand final appearance after calf injury"},"content":{"rendered":"

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.<\/p>\n

Neale’s season appeared over when he limped off the field with a calf issue late in Brisbane’s qualifying final defeat to Geelong<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

But Neale could be in the frame for a surprise comeback the following week if the Lions reach a third straight season decider.<\/p>\n

The reigning premiers are riding high after their win over the Suns and have been further buoyed by Neale’s positive outlook.<\/p>\n

“He’s as mentally tough as they come, so I’m definitely not ruling him out,” Lions defender Ryan Lester told SEN on Sunday.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

\"Logan<\/p>\n

An under-strength Brisbane outfit stood up tall in Neale’s absence in the semi-final win over Gold Coast. (Getty Images: Bradley Kanaris)<\/p>\n

“I actually saw him this morning \u2014 I had my son’s fifth birthday party and he was there \u2014 he was pretty positive about how he’s tracking.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

ABC Sport Daily podcast<\/a><\/p>\n

ABC Sport Daily is your daily sports conversation. We dive into the biggest story of the day and get you up to speed with everything else that’s making headlines.<\/p>\n

“But he’s certainly a chance, that’s for sure.”<\/p>\n

On Saturday, Neale admitted he held a far more optimistic view about his chances than Brisbane medical staff did.<\/p>\n

“I’m giving myself a 50 per cent chance,” Neale told Fox Footy.<\/p>\n

“But I think the physios and the doctors and the rest of the medical fraternity are giving me about a one per cent chance.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“If the dominoes fall my way and that one per cent does come through, then it would be an amazing story.”<\/p>\n

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