The Lions did get over the line to secure the 100-89 win, but at one stage appeared in danger of throwing away a sizeable advantage.<\/p>\n
Blowing huge leads has been a criticism levelled at the Blues for much of this season \u2014 something Neale claimed during his post-match interview was said to him by the Carlton players during the match.<\/p>\n
Speaking to Channel 7, he said: \u201cWe just had to get back to closing their space a bit. We weren\u2019t doing that well enough in the third quarter and allowed them to find an easy mark.<\/p>\n
\u201cGot told by a couple of the [Blues] boys we were \u2018doing a Carlton\u2019. They were trying to get in our heads a little bit but that\u2019s part of the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cGlad that we held on, it was pretty close but we\u2019ll take it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The slender victory means the Lions are now on a three-match winning streak \u2014 a run that has taken them up to fourth on the ladder.<\/p>\n
Neale starred for his side, making 33 disposals to take his total for the season to 245 in just eight games.<\/p>\n
![\"Lachie](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/e8f29a0162d50180a5e03b38b4d7c5df.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Carlton\u2019s nightmare 2026 goes from bad to worse after suffering a seventh straight loss.<\/p>\n
The Blues, who have just one win from nine games, showed heart to fight back to within 11 points of the Lions, but the result ultimately piles more pressure on coach Michael Voss.<\/p>\n
When asked about his future during the post-match, Voss said: \u201cI coach for building a culture, and hopefully by the time I leave here we\u2019ve got winning behaviours, and understand clearly what that looks like.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe clearly understand what that looks like when we meet them, and we clearly understand what that looks like when we don\u2019t, and I coach to create an environment that enables that to happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cOften people will make it about your job, but the reality is I\u2019ll make it about something else, and that\u2019s what we\u2019ve got to continue to reinforce within our own environment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hollywood icon Kevin Costner was in attendance at The Gabba<\/a> on Friday night as social media exploded after he was spotted by the cameras.<\/p>\n