AFL Brisbane Lions news: Rhys Mathieson looms as likely replacement for Lachie Neale
A forgotten Lion shapes as the likely replacement to fill the gaping hole left by injured superstar Lachie Neale. Could it help out KFC SuperCoaches?
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Lions midfielder Rhys Mathieson shapes as a likely replacement for the injured Lachie Neale in Saturday’s clash with Port Adelaide at the Gabba following an impressive VFL outing last weekend.
Mathieson managed to kick four goals and collect 18 touches in just one half of football during Brisbane’s 69-point VFL loss to Carlton last weekend in a performance which could see him earn a call up in to the top squad this weekend.
The 24-year-old is yet to feature this season but has come back into contention after Neale underwent surgery on Monday after suffering a syndesmosis injury last weekend.
Lions captain Dayne Zorko praised Mathieson’s ability during a visit to Ronald McDonald House SEQ on Tuesday to announce a new initiative which would see Brisbane donate $500 for every goal kicked in Round 7.
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“Rhys Mathieson has been extraordinary in the reserves,” Zorko said.
“He’s been the emergency a couple of times and he had a really good preseason.
“He and Jarrod Berry are probably the front-runners … they seem to be the two with match fitness.
“(Mathieson) has done a lot of work on his engine over the past 18 months.
“His contested balls have always been great and his skills have always been fantastic.
“He just brings a different element and him and Lachie are very similar players.”
The loss of the 2020 Brownlow Medallist has sparked some concern over the Lions chances this year but Zorko was confident it would not de-rail their season.
“It’s certainly going to be a loss but the beauty about these sort of injuries is that it gives opportunities to those guys who haven’t had much game time in the seniors,” he said.
“There’s guys champing at the bit to come in and fill a role while Lachie’s out.
“We’re not really a Lachie Neale midfield-based team – everyone that goes in there has a role to do and Lachie was no different.
“Naturally if you lose the Brownlow Medallist you think your team is in a little bit of trouble but one thing we’ve shown is that we haven’t been reliant on Lachie in the opening five rounds and we’ve been able to win.”
Neale faces two months on the sideline to recover from the ankle injury and Zorko said it had been a big blow for his season.
“He’s pretty disappointed,” he said.
“It felt like he was just getting his groove back as well.
“He had an interrupted preseason as well which didn’t help.”
NEALE UNDERGOES SUGERY ON ANKLE
Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale is set to be sidelined after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury.
The Brisbane Lions midfield general rolled his ankle in the club’s win over Carlton on Saturday, landing awkwardly after jumping two players.
Neale was immediately hobbled by the injury but battled on, finishing with 24 disposals and five tackles to help the Lions secure a crucial 18-point win.
Post-match, coach Chris Fagan told reporters: “He’s a pretty tough character Lachie Neale. He’ll probably be sore tomorrow and we’ll see how he goes during the week.”
After a brutal afternoon for the reigning Brownlow winner, Neale was handed a $1500 fine on Sunday by the match review officer for making contact with an umpire.
Neale touched umpire Mathew Nicholls to alert him to blood across his forehead during the Lions’ clash with Carlton.
In past years he would have been referred directly to the tribunal with Tom Hawkins’ umpire contact in 2018 a precedent.
But after Hawkins’ one-week suspension there were a handful of incidents where players including Charlie Curnow and Willie Rioli made contact with umpires.
Rioli was making playful contact with Chamberlain as part of some harmless byplay but the AFL realised it needed to change its rules as a result.
Now only demonstrative or deliberate contact with umpires is referred to the tribunal while Neale’s interaction sees him handed a $1500 fine with a guilty plea.
The Lions confirmed the surgery blow on Sunday night, tweeting: “Lachie Neale will undergo surgery on an ankle injury sustained in our clash against Carlton. Details on his return to be confirmed.”
Brisbane also lost defender Darcy Gardiner to concussion during its win over the Blues.
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Lachie Neale went down to the rooms following this incident midway through the first term.#AFLBluesLionspic.twitter.com/Wm53M1X15e
— AFL (@AFL) April 24, 2021
Lachie Neale will undergo surgery on an ankle injury sustained in our clash against Carlton. Details on his return to be confirmed.
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) April 25, 2021
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