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Lachie Neale, Brisbane Lions shut up the footy world in grand final triumph
While the footy world quietly – and sometimes loudly – doubted Lachie Neale, the premiers knew exactly what they were doing.
James Dampney
September 27, 2025 – 6:01PM
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The Brisbane Lions’ decision to use Lachie Neale as a grand final substitute fiercely divided opinion across the footy world.
But it took one quarter of outstanding footy for the 32-year-old and his club to prove it was an absolute master stroke in the Lions’ stirring 18.14 (122) to 11.9 (75) belting of Geelong.
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Neale had the most talked about calf in Australia after his extraordinary bid to make Saturday’s decider against the Cats.
Once it appeared likely Neale was going to make the Brisbane line-up, speculation quickly turned to whether he would start or perhaps don the sub’s vest.
Despite Neale telling reporters on Thursday he was “confident I’ll get up for a whole game”, he was indeed named the substitute in a curious decision that was fraught with danger.
Lachie Neale’s season appeared over on September 5. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
But it was looking good just 22 days later. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
It didn’t go down well with many in the footy world, who almost yelled in unison that if Neale is fit enough to play, he should be fit enough to start.
Yet it turns out the Lions knew exactly what they were doing as Neale was injected into the game at the start of the third quarter and capped off his entry with a huge goal from right on the 50m arc that opened up a game-high 19-point lead nearing the final change.
In his third quarter alone, the dual Brownlow medallist finished with six possessions, three inside 50s, three score involvements and a goal.
“Have they made the right call by picking him?” Kane Cornes asked on Channel 7.
“I didn’t think so, but perhaps the Lions know more than the rest of us.”
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Perhaps they did Kane, with Neale involved in a series of pivotal moments as Brisbane broke the game open and strode to a second consecutive premiership.
Fans could only acknowledge the move from Chris Fagan and the Lions on social media, punctuated by that third quarter goal.
“Having Lachie Neale be the tactical sub may have just won Fagan another premiership. The best coach in the comp, extremely surgical in his strategies,” was one comment on X.
“Lachie Neale from 50! The sub swings the game for Brisbane,” wrote another.
A third said: “Lachie Neale comes on as a sub at the end of the third quarter and wins the Norm Smith medal.”
A fourth declared: “Lets build a statue of Lachie Neale.”
Chris Fagan (right) backed Neale in all the way. Picture Lachie Millard
While the Norm Smith might prove a little out of reach after his limited game time, a statue might not be too far away after Neale added to his legacy with a second premiership medal.
He finished with 17 touches, seven clearances and three tackles in a ridiculous half of footy and spoke to Channel 7 after the game.
“At halftime it didn’t look like a result like that,” he said.
“I felt like a bit of a supporter in the first half. It was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been to come on in the third quarter, with the scores tied in a grand final and coming off limited prep.
“But it’s a bit easier when everyone’s tired and you’re fresh.”
It seems almost trivial now to look back on how much doubt and consternation there was about Neale’s selection.
Everyone in the footy world had an opinion. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
As Garry Lyon posed on Fox Footy pre-game: “What if he comes on in the first 15 minutes because he has to, (Kai) Lohmann has pinged a hamstring and (Neale then) lasts a minute?
“That’s my problem with him starting as a sub.”
Fortunately for the Lions, Neale wasn’t needed in the first half as the teams went to the long break locked at 5.6 (36) apiece.
“The conversation will be around Lachie Neale, when should we pull the trigger?” Dale Thomas said on Channel 7 at halftime.
“Right now you’re just waiting. No need to pull the trigger.”
Whether it was planned all along – which seems likely – or a tactical ploy, Neale was injected into the game at the start of the third quarter, replacing Sam Marshall.
Dayne Zorko was asked on Channel 7 what to expect from Neale as the Lions ran up the race and back onto the ground.
Neale had to bide his time on the bench. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
But showed no ill effects from that calf once he came on. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
“Hopefully a little bit of spark,” he said. “I can see he’s ready to go, so that’s great.”
Cornes then stated: “It’s big. It’s a big half for Chris Fagan’s selection and for Lachie Neale.”
It took over eight minutes for Neale to finally get his first touch, giving a handball off to Bruce Reville, who narrowly missed a running shot on goal.
But Cornes was liking what he was seeing early on from the Brisbane co-captain.
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“He actually looks good,” he said. “He’s got speed, he’s got power, he just needs a big half and they’ll nurse him through that.”
Footy greats Brad Johnson, Gerard Healy, David King and Leigh Montagna all cast doubt over the call to select Neale as the sub.
But it turns out the premiers did in fact know a little more than everyone else in a grand final masterstroke that will go down in history, just 22 days after Neale’s season appeared dead and buried.
Read related topics:Brisbane
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