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.<\/p>\n
Kybybolite\u2019s 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 \u2013 the Norm Smith.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It was a case of third time lucky for the Lions co-captain having been in Fremantle\u2019s 2013 loss to Hawthorn and last year\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe job is not done.\u201d<\/p>\n
But when it was done, when the final siren sounded, Neale made a beeline for veteran Dayne Zorko, embracing on the hallowed MCG turf.<\/p>\n
His post game interviews \u2013 both on the ground on the day and at the Sunday celebrations, pride was the overwhelming emotion for the newly minted premiership skipper.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter what we went through last year and the start of this year, no words can describe how proud I am of this footy club,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
And despite a 73 point three quarter time lead, when did Neale truly believe he was about to live out his childhood dream.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout six and a half, seven minutes to go I thought they can\u2019t catch us now. I want to get back on the \u2018G\u2019 that last few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
But he certainly wasn\u2019t prepared to entertain thoughts of early celebrations until then.<\/p>\n
\u201cI literally thought of the Carlton game in opening round so I was more nervous at half time than I was before the game,\u201d Neale said. \u201cSo pumped with the way we played particularly in that second quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was one of the best quarters of footy I\u2019ve been involved with.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so happy for him. He deserves all the love he gets. He\u2019s a great man, love him so much. He\u2019s been great for the footy club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Given the job of speaking at the post-game presentation, Neale continued the pride and love theme.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnormous respect for your organisation and your team (Sydney), you\u2019re always thereabouts, a fantastic organisation,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve looked up to you for a long time.<\/p>\n
\u201cLove playing for this competition and don\u2019t take it for granted.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur footy club from top to bottom \u2013 an unbelievable organisation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love this group so much. To the boys, love you guys so much, this group\u2019s phenomenal.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd the fans \u2013 you guys are the best in the competition \u2013 we love what you guys bring.\u201d<\/p>\n
And speaking of fans, SEN\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust how clean was he \u2013 it was a flawless midfield game,\u201d Cornes said, post-match on the AFL Nation broadcast.<\/p>\n
Father Robbie Neale also spoke to the AFL Nation team post game as he revelled in his son\u2019s achievements.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a fantastic feeling \u2013 able to soak it up a bit in the last quarter,\u201d he said. \u201cI actually thought this game would come down to the wire.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt three quarter time I sat down and said to the rest of the family, settle down and enjoy this.\u201d<\/p>\n
His dad attributed his son\u2019s honest assessment of his game as a key to his success.<\/p>\n
\u201cI guess he knows his strengths and his limitations and he knows how to get to work,\u201d Robbie said. \u201cHe always talks about his one wood (inside work).\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis week was probably his biggest challenge to get up \u2013 it\u2019s to his credit and the medical team to get him out there,\u201d Robbie said.<\/p>\n
While being initially surprised that Lachie made the move to the Lions in 2019, there is no denying it has worked out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were a little bit surprised he had his sights on Brisbane,\u201d Robbie said. \u201cHe found a great culture there.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat premiership medal is that one he wanted and he\u2019s got one.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very surreal mate, I\u2019m still pinching myself.\u201d<\/p>\n
And the signs were good on the morning of the game.<\/p>\n
\u201cHad a coffee with him this morning \u2013 he was more calm than me,\u201d Robbie said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been an incredible 12 hours \u2013 not really sure how long it\u2019s been,\u201d he said. \u201cWords can\u2019t really describe it \u2013 best feeling in the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe overriding emotion is pride \u2013 proud for this club and this group.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom the heartbreak of last year, we\u2019ve come back really strong. The season didn\u2019t 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\u2019d be right.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Four goal grand final hero Kai Lohmman, who was arguably the beneficiary of McCarthy\u2019s absence, earning a regular spot in the Lions forward line, certainly acknowledged the role the 151-game former Bordertown junior.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been my main mentor,\u201d Lohmman said, at the Brunswick Street Oval presentation to fans. \u201cHe has been great for me this year especially this finals period.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019s 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 […]<\/p>\n