Stanley back for Cats as Neale makes miracle grand final return

Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale has made an extraordinary recovery to be selected for the AFL grand final against a Geelong side featuring Rhys Stanley.

Neale, whose season was feared over three weeks ago when suffering a calf injury, replaces Jarrod Berry, who will miss Saturday’s premiership decider after dislocating a shoulder last weekend.

The Cats summoned Stanley to replace five-time All Australian defender Tom Stewart, who was concussed in last Friday night’s preliminary final against Hawthorn.

Neale’s return is a near miracle after club doctors told him he was a five per cent chance of playing again this season.

The injury was initially listed as having a season-ending four-to-six-week time frame.

But the dual Brownlow medallist was picked for the MCG showdown after the Lions held a closed training session at Melbourne’s Princes Park on Thursday.

Neale participated in the session but Berry was unsighted after dislocating his left shoulder in their preliminary-final win over Collingwood.

Berry also suffered the same injury on August 15 against Fremantle, with the Lions unwilling to risk a recurrence in the grand final.

Geelong ace Stewart was unavailable after entering the AFL’s mandatory 12-day concussion protocols.

The brilliant backman was concussed in a tackle from Hawthorn’s Mabior Chol.

The Hawk was initially given a three-match ban for rough conduct by match review officer Michael Christian, but successfully appealed against the suspension at the tribunal on Tuesday night.

Ruckman Stanley missed his club’s initial two finals because of a hamstring strain, though Cats officials maintain he was available for last week’s preliminary final.

The Cats named Jed Bews, Mitchell Knevitt and Ollie Henry, and Brisbane listed Sam Day, Darragh Joyce and Jimmy Tunstill, as emergencies.

Neale’s return will continue to be a major talking point, though the Lions’ triple-premiership winner Jonathan Brown is adamant the gamble on the prolific ball-winner is worth taking.

“He has been pain free and he’s trained fully with the group for the last week,” Brown said on Thursday ahead of teams being released.

“He’s the captain of your club. We know what he’s achieved as an individual.

“I think it would be a let-down for the group if he was right to play and Fages and the coaching staff didn’t pick him.”

Geelong Cats

Backs: Connor O’Sullivan, Sam De Koning, Jack Henry
Half Backs: Mark O’Connor, Zach Guthrie, Lawson Humphries
Centre: Gryan Miers, Max Holmes, Oliver Dempsey
Half Forwards: Brad Close, Shaun Mannagh, Tyson Stengle
Forwards: Shannon Neale, Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield
Followers: Rhys Stanley, Tom Atkins, Bailey Smith
Interchange: Mark Blicavs, Jack Martin, Oisin Mullin, Jhye Clark, Jack Bowes
Emergencies: Jed Bews, Mitch Knevitt, Oliver Henry

In: Rhys Stanley
Out: Tom Stewart (concussion)
PF sub: Jhye Clark

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Brisbane Lions

Backs: Callum Ah Chee, Logan Morris, Cam Rayner
Half Backs: Zac Bailey, Ty Gallop, Charlie Cameron
Centre: Levi Ashcroft, Lachie Neale, Hugh McCluggage
Half Forwards: Brandon Starcevich, Harris Andrews, Darcy Wilmot
Forwards: Ryan Lester, Darcy Gardiner, Dayne Zorko
Followers: Darcy Fort, Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft
Interchange: Kai Lohmann, Jaspa Fletcher, Sam Marshall, Bruce Reville, Oscar McInerney
Emergencies: Sam Day, James Tunstill, Darragh Joyce

In: Lachie Neale
Out: Jarrod Berry (shoulder)
PF sub: Bruce Reville