A premiership desire and club loyalty continue to motivate Lions milestone man Lachie Neale

Lachie Neale doesn’t want anyone, particularly his team-mates, to doubt his loyalty to the Brisbane Lions.

Lachie Neale will celebrate 200 AFL appearances on Thursday night. Picture: Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Lions superstar Lachie Neale’s desire to prove to his Brisbane teammates he’s committed to the club’s premiership cause has him as “hungry” as ever ahead of his 200th AFL appearance.

The 2020 Brownlow Medal winner will chalk up a double century of AFL games on Thursday night when the Lions host Collingwood at the Gabba.

While 135 of his 199 matches have been with Fremantle, Neale is in no doubt where his loyalties lie and intends to demonstrate that by helping the Lions win the flag for the first time since 2003.

Speculation last year he wanted to return to WA for family reasons has Neale even more determined to prove his commitment to the Lions, who he has represented since 2019.

“In the off-season, I was lucky enough to become a father as well, and that’s given me a new perspective and new motivation,” Neale said.

“There was obviously a lot of talk in the off-season about myself as well, which really fuelled me. I wanted to prove to the club and to my teammates that I was as committed as ever and wanted to have a really strong off-season and get ready for a really big impact this year.

“I feel like we’re in such a good window to really challenge for that top echelon of teams and a premiership, and I wanted to play my part in that.

Lions star Lachie Neale is preparing for his 200th AFL appearance. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“That motivates me more than anything … and gets me out of bed every morning, for sure.”

However, if 28-year-old Neale finished his career without a flag, he will remain grateful for the chance to have played so many matches after doubting himself when he wasn’t chosen by the Dockers until pick No. 58 in the 2011 AFL draft.

“I probably didn’t think I was going to make in the AFL that year, so just being drafted was an achievement for me … so 200 games is something to be really proud of, ” he said.

“There are some champions of the game that have played 200. It doesn’t feel real yet, but I’m sure when I look back at the end of my career, I’m not sure what I’ll end up on, but I’ll be able to soak it up a little bit more.

“Clearly, I know I haven’t won a premiership, but there’s so many great players before me and even now that haven’t won them – they’re so hard to win.”

“Hard” yes, but a flag is definitely within reach for a Lions side that has finished in the top four on the ladder for three successive years.

Despite last week’s narrow loss to Geelong, the Lions have started the season with three wins from four matches, with Neale among Brisbane’s best players in the opening month of the season.

“I feel body-wise, fitness levels (and) performance wise, that I can definitely have my best year this year,” the star midfielder said.

“It’s still really early and there’s a lot of hard work to go, but I’ve set myself up to have one of my better years.

“Talk is pretty cheap, though, at this point in time. I’ve got to go out and deliver.

“I feel like I’ve had a good start; I feel like I’ve been able to contribute in a strong way.

“I’m loving my footy more than ever this year. I feel a bit rejuvenated, and I’m as hungry as I’ve ever been.”