AFL Finals: All the latest Brisbane Lions news heading into their preliminary final against Geelong
Lions fans stood six-deep in a ring around the boundary to catch a glimpse of their heroes in action, but all eyes were on superstar Lachie Neale as he battles a “fairly significant” heel issue.
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Lachie Neale made only a brief appearance at Tuesday’s open training session as Brisbane’s superstar midfielder battles to get his body right for Saturday’s preliminary final against Geelong.
Neale, 31, spent about 15 minutes on-field before returning to the rooms, while his teammates completed a light session that ended with some goal kicking and fan meet-and-greets.
Neale was spotted in a moon boot a day after the Lions’ stunning semi-final comeback win over the Giants, prompting fears he could be in doubt for the preliminary final.
But both he and coach Chris Fagan made it clear the “fairly significant” heel issue which Neale had battled for more than two months would not keep the dual-Brownlow Medallist from suiting up on Saturday night against the Cats.
Neale pre-empted speculation about his health by telling SEN on Monday: “I don’t do much (training) early in the week and Thursdays, if you watch training you probably think I am not going to play, that is how badly I have been moving. But game day I feel 100 per cent. (I will) definitely play, but carrying a bit of foot and heel soreness at the moment.”
True to his word, Neale hit the field on Tuesday to say hi to the Brisbane faithful before exiting to continue his preparation for the weekend.
With no organised team drills, the playing group completed some slow laps of Brighton Homes Arena before going into some goal kicking to finish.
Key forward Eric Hipwood completed some light run-throughs away from the group and there was minimal work from young gun Will Ashcroft. But Neale aside, the Lions presented with a clean bill of health ahead of the penultimate weekend of the AFL season.
The Lions will go behind closed doors at the Gabba on Thursday for the main training session before flying to Melbourne for their blockbuster battle with Geelong.
At Springfield they stood six-deep in a ring around the boundary fence just to catch a glimpse of their heroes in action.
Brisbane fans in their thousands flocked to Brighton Homes Arena on Tuesday, forgoing work and school for a few moments with the players before their preliminary final date with destiny this weekend.
Parents donned early-2000s jerseys with Voss, Black and Akermanis across the back, while their children wore matching colours with Neale, Daniher and Cameron in their place.
A final four berth is nothing particularly new for the Brisbane faithful. This is the fourth time in five years they find themselves at the penultimate weekend of the AFL season.
But after watching their team produce the second-largest finals comeback in history to get there, the feeling on this occasion is a little sweeter.
After their poor start to the season, the Lions were never expected to still be here. But the playing group never gave up and neither did the fans.
In years past this day was built on a sense of expectation. This time, it is all about optimism.
As Brisbane football boss Danny Daly put it, Tuesday’s open training session was little more than a “kick and catch” for a playing group still recovering from its brutal backs-to-the-wall win three days earlier.
The real work will happen behind closed doors and at the main training session on Thursday.
But Tuesday was important for a different reason. As one of the most rollercoaster campaigns of all time draws to a close, it was a reminder to all who wear the maroon, blue and gold that this is a journey lived and experienced together.
Nights like Saturday’s semi-final comeback over the Giants – and days like Tuesday’s open training session – are the building blocks on which the modern Lions’ legacy will be forged.
This year they smashed through their record membership barrier and now sit on the cusp of overtaking a slew of Victorian clubs next season.
For years under Chris Fagan, the Lions were never a particularly strong team on the road. Six wins away from home was the most they had ever achieved in a single season under his tenure.
That record now sits at eight after the win in Western Sydney. It will become nine if they can get over Geelong this weekend and 10 should the Lions go on to win the premiership.
Suddenly, this passionate supporter base that sells out games at the Gabba and goes on the road with its team is playing a major role in September.
If not for the vocal Lions fans who packed into ENGIE Stadium on Saturday night to roar home their team from 44 points down, Tuesday’s turnout would not have been possible.
Now 21 years since the last of the three-peat premierships, there is optimism in the air at Springfield that the next success is just around the corner.
Originally published as AFL Finals: All the latest Brisbane Lions news heading into their preliminary final against Geelong
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