Brisbane star Lachie Neale set to cop plenty of attention as Port seek to prevent another dominant game
Brisbane gun Lachie Neale has destroyed the Power in recent times, but Robbie Gray is backing Port to find an answer.
GUN Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale is set to receive close attention from Port Adelaide with Power star Robbie Gray saying they will again try to target the prolific Lion despite a lack of success in the past.
And the Port star says one of his teammates who helped the Power to a Showdown demolition job will be “extremely unlucky” to make way to the returning Travis Boak.
The Naracoorte-raised Neale has blazed his way into Brownlow Medal discussions following an outstanding first year in Brisbane after his trade from Fremantle, averaging 32 disposals, four marks and three tackles a game to help propel the Lions into a tilt at the top four.
Neale’s numbers are even better against the Power, averaging 37 disposals and 10 clearances in his last five games, including a 43 possession effort when the former St Peter’s College boy inspired the Lions to a 17-point win over Port in Round 3.
Port coach Ken Hinkley earlier this week said the Power had tried to stop Neale in the past but that had not worked.
Speaking on SEN Breakfast, Gray, who claimed his fifth Showdown medal with a 35 disposal game against the Crows, said Port still needed to try to find a way to slow Neale down despite their lack of success so far.
“Someone will be near him I think,” he said.
“Obviously (he has those numbers against us) recently and he did us earlier in the year as well.
“So we will have to put some work into him.”
After nine years of finishing no better than 12th the Lions are flying under coach Chris Fagan, sitting a game clear in fourth after an outstanding win over GWS in Sydney last time out.
The recruitment of Neale, who left Fremantle to escape the Perth footy bubble, has been a key reason for the Lions rediscovering their roar but Gray said he was just one of a number of shrewd acquisitions.
“They have recruited very well from other clubs and that has blended well with the players they had drafted really well,” he said.
“You bring in Hodgey (Luke Hodge), McCarthy, Charlie Cameron, Mitch Robinson who has been there for a little while... and then put them with the younger guys they are playing some really exciting footy.”
Port will be looking to win back-to-back games for the first time since Round’s 5 and 6 against the Lions, following an inconsistent run that has fans and those inside the club frustrated.
The Power are set to have receive a massive boost to their chances with their best player this year Boak set to return after his 11th hour withdrawal from the Showdown when he suffered back spasms in the final warm-up.
Sam Powell-Pepper made the most of his last minute call up to finish the match against the Crows with 24 disposals and six tackles, and Gray said the big bodied midfielder would be stiff to be dropped for the returning former skipper.
“He would be extremely unlucky... anyone would be,” Gray said.
“Whoever misses out will be extremely unlucky... Trav has been in outstanding form and had an outstanding year so you bring him back in so someone will have to go out and that will be unlucky.”
Gray also backed out of favour ruckman Paddy Ryder to return to the Port line-up at some point this year, saying he had been outstanding around the club despite being dropped to the SANFL.