Brisbane’s preparations for Saturday’s AFL grand final against Geelong have been given a fresh twist with dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale edging closer to a remarkable return from injury.

The Lions’ co-captain has been sidelined since September 5 after suffering a right calf injury during their qualifying final loss to the Cats. Initial medical projections suggested a four-to-six week recovery window, effectively ruling him out of the remainder of the finals series and ending any hope of him featuring in the decider.

But Neale has upended those forecasts with a rapid recovery that has left Brisbane officials and supporters daring to dream. Following an impressive running session on Saturday, the 31-year-old has put himself firmly in contention ahead of Tuesday’s open training session at the club’s Springfield base, where his progress will be closely monitored.

Defying the odds

Neale’s potential inclusion is nothing short of a surprise. After being hampered earlier this year by a quad issue that also forced him out of Brisbane’s strong wins against Fremantle and Hawthorn late in the home-and-away season, the calf setback appeared to end his 2024 campaign.

Instead, the Lions’ medical staff have been buoyed by the midfielder’s response to rehabilitation. While questions remain over whether he can withstand the intensity of a grand final, the sight of him moving freely in recent sessions has injected fresh energy into the Lions camp.

Teammate Hugh McCluggage summed up the mood perfectly, noting both the potential boost and the resilience Brisbane have already shown in Neale’s absence.

“Anytime you add a player of that quality to your team it's going to make your team better,” McCluggage said. “But we know that we can perform really well without him so whichever way it falls, we'll go in and we'll do our best. Nothing changes from a mindset point of view.”

Opportunity knocks after Berry setback

Adding weight to Neale’s case for selection is the injury cloud hanging over Jarrod Berry. The midfielder dislocated his shoulder for the second time in four games during Brisbane’s preliminary final victory over Collingwood, and is highly unlikely to recover in time.

Berry’s absence leaves a vacancy in the Lions’ midfield rotation that Neale could seamlessly fill, provided he proves his match fitness during the coming sessions. For a side chasing consecutive premierships, the temptation to bring back a player of Neale’s calibre is enormous.

Lions resilient in his absence

Brisbane’s path to the grand final has been defined by resilience. Without their co-captain, the Lions dispatched Gold Coast and Collingwood in September, proving their midfield depth runs deep.

Players like McCluggage, Josh Dunkley, and young Will Ashcroft have shouldered the workload, while their defensive and forward lines have stood tall under pressure. Those efforts highlight why the Lions feel confident regardless of whether Neale is cleared to play, though there’s no denying his inclusion would add another dimension to their engine room.

Familiar foes on the biggest stage

Saturday’s clash at the MCG will mark the first time Brisbane and Geelong meet in an AFL grand final. The two sides have built a fierce modern rivalry, highlighted by last year’s preliminary final when the Lions overturned a 25-point deficit to stun the Cats and charge into the premiership decider, eventually lifting the trophy.

Geelong, however, can point to their own triumph in 2022, when they dismantled Brisbane on their way to the flag. That backdrop ensures another chapter will be written in what has become one of the competition’s most compelling storylines.

The build-up begins

Brisbane’s final open training session at Springfield on Tuesday is expected to draw a large crowd of fans eager for a glimpse of their heroes before they fly to Melbourne on Wednesday.

Supporters will watch closely to see how Neale moves during the session. His body language, participation in drills, and interaction with medical staff will likely offer clues as to whether coach Chris Fagan is prepared to roll the dice on his star midfielder.

The Lions’ brains trust face a delicate balancing act: is it worth risking Neale if there are any doubts over his durability, or will his experience, leadership, and match-winning ability prove irresistible on football’s biggest stage?

High stakes and hard decisions

AFL grand finals are often defined by big calls at the selection table, and this one is no different. If Neale is passed fit, Brisbane could unleash a midfield featuring both their proven stars and emerging talents, a mix that has already shown it can trouble Geelong.

If not, the Lions will turn once more to the depth and structure that has carried them to consecutive deciders. Either way, they enter the week brimming with belief and armed with a burning desire to etch their name into history with back-to-back premierships.

For Neale, the next few days will determine whether he adds another remarkable chapter to his decorated career, one that already includes two Brownlow Medals, countless individual honours, and now potentially, a heroic grand final comeback.