Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale explains bruise he was spotted with at 2024 Brownlow Medal function

Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale has revealed a teammate was behind an impressive bruise he wore to Brownlow Medal celebrations at the Gabba on Monday night.

Lachie Neale at the Lions’ Brownlow Medal function at The Gabba on Monday. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale was sporting an impressive bruise as he attended a satellite Brownlow Medal count event at the Gabba on Monday night.

But he revealed there was nothing sinister about the shiner, instead saying it was the result of being clocked in the face by teammate Eric Hipwood after Cam Rayner kicked the final goal to seal a 95-85 victory over the Geelong Cats to seal their spot in this weekend’s grand final.

“I got it from Eric Hipwood,” Neale said.

“He was a bit overzealous with celebration when Cam (Rayner) kicked that goal at the end of the game on the weekend, and I was in the middle of the pack with the boys, and he jumped over, and I think it was his fist that collected me.

“So, yeah, thanks, Eric.”

Neale said the mood in the team is good ahead of the AFL Grand Final clash with the Sydney Swans.

“We’ve had a couple of pretty epic final wins, so we’re excited, looking forward to the challenge against Sydney this weekend,” Neale said.

“They have been the best team all year, so we’ll have our hands full, but we’re looking forward to it.”