Lachie lives his childhood dream

He might have been celebrating in a moon boot but he was definitely on top of the world, adding the one, most cherished, accolade in the game to his resume.

Kybybolite’s Lachie Neale is a premiership player, the first recipient, along with co-captain Harris Andrews, of the newly minted Ron Barassi Medal, and if you listen to post match analysis, many believe he should also have a third medal – the Norm Smith.

But it is safe to say, the resume is already stacked and the boy from Kyby is no doubt on the trajectory to not just be an AFL Hall of Famer but arguably a legend, given the story is not yet finished.

It was a case of third time lucky for the Lions co-captain having been in Fremantle’s 2013 loss to Hawthorn and last year’s classic against Collingwood and despite battling a debilitating foot injury for the past couple of months, the star midfielder was also awarded the Gary Ayres Medal for the best player in the 2024 finals series, as voted on by the participating coaches.

Neale actually slotted the first goal of the game, roving the spill from a Charlie Cameron mark but the play was brought back to the Cameron mark and he missed the ensuing kick.

The lead was eight at quarter time and 46 at the half but in his half time interview with Abbey Holmes, the Lions co-captain was as focussed as ever.

“The job is not done.”

But when it was done, when the final siren sounded, Neale made a beeline for veteran Dayne Zorko, embracing on the hallowed MCG turf.

His post game interviews – both on the ground on the day and at the Sunday celebrations, pride was the overwhelming emotion for the newly minted premiership skipper.

“After what we went through last year and the start of this year, no words can describe how proud I am of this footy club,” he said.

And despite a 73 point three quarter time lead, when did Neale truly believe he was about to live out his childhood dream.

“About six and a half, seven minutes to go I thought they can’t catch us now. I want to get back on the ‘G’ that last few minutes.”

But he certainly wasn’t prepared to entertain thoughts of early celebrations until then.

“I literally thought of the Carlton game in opening round so I was more nervous at half time than I was before the game,” Neale said. “So pumped with the way we played particularly in that second quarter.

“That was one of the best quarters of footy I’ve been involved with.”

Like most of his team mates, the love for coach Chris Fagan was also front and centre as they basked in the glory of a grand final demolition.

“I am so happy for him. He deserves all the love he gets. He’s a great man, love him so much. He’s been great for the footy club.”

Given the job of speaking at the post-game presentation, Neale continued the pride and love theme.

“Enormous respect for your organisation and your team (Sydney), you’re always thereabouts, a fantastic organisation,” he said. “We’ve looked up to you for a long time.

“Love playing for this competition and don’t take it for granted.

“Our footy club from top to bottom – an unbelievable organisation.

“I love this group so much. To the boys, love you guys so much, this group’s phenomenal.

“And the fans – you guys are the best in the competition – we love what you guys bring.”

And speaking of fans, SEN’s Kane Cornes has often spoken of his admiration for Neale and the work he does to ensure he can perform at the highest level. Including anointing Neale his choice for the Norm Smith.

“Just how clean was he – it was a flawless midfield game,” Cornes said, post-match on the AFL Nation broadcast.

Father Robbie Neale also spoke to the AFL Nation team post game as he revelled in his son’s achievements.

“It’s a fantastic feeling – able to soak it up a bit in the last quarter,” he said. “I actually thought this game would come down to the wire.

“At three quarter time I sat down and said to the rest of the family, settle down and enjoy this.”

His dad attributed his son’s honest assessment of his game as a key to his success.

“I guess he knows his strengths and his limitations and he knows how to get to work,” Robbie said. “He always talks about his one wood (inside work).”

Of course, the injured foot had been a talking point all week and in fact, Lachie, himself, admitted he felt something snap halfway through the last quarter, but nothing was going to stop him take to the field for the grand final.

“This week was probably his biggest challenge to get up – it’s to his credit and the medical team to get him out there,” Robbie said.

While being initially surprised that Lachie made the move to the Lions in 2019, there is no denying it has worked out.

“We were a little bit surprised he had his sights on Brisbane,” Robbie said. “He found a great culture there.

“That premiership medal is that one he wanted and he’s got one.

“It’s very surreal mate, I’m still pinching myself.”

And the signs were good on the morning of the game.

“Had a coffee with him this morning – he was more calm than me,” Robbie said.

Sporting that moon boot and forecasting his scans and meeting with the surgeon this week, Neale was still coming to terms with the grand final victory when he arrived at the Brunswick Street Oval fan event in Melbourne on Sunday.

“It’s been an incredible 12 hours – not really sure how long it’s been,” he said. “Words can’t really describe it – best feeling in the world.

“The overriding emotion is pride – proud for this club and this group.

“From the heartbreak of last year, we’ve come back really strong. The season didn’t start how we wanted to. Fages and the coaching staff were so positive and showed us we were doing things right and if we tidied up a few things and we’d be right.

In the throes of the euphoria of victory, thoughts also move to his good mate and fellow KNTFL alumni Lincoln McCarthy, who has been such an integral part of the Lions rise but saw his season ended by an ACL rupture.

Four goal grand final hero Kai Lohmman, who was arguably the beneficiary of McCarthy’s absence, earning a regular spot in the Lions forward line, certainly acknowledged the role the 151-game former Bordertown junior.

“He’s been my main mentor,” Lohmman said, at the Brunswick Street Oval presentation to fans. “He has been great for me this year especially this finals period.”