Geelong forward Shannon Neale is heading into Saturday’s AFL grand final with a clear mission: don’t let Harris Andrews dictate terms. After reflecting on a disappointing performance earlier in the season, the 23-year-old has shifted his approach to ensure Brisbane’s captain and defensive general doesn’t repeat his round-15 dominance.

In that clash, the Lions star was at his intercepting best, cutting off Geelong’s forward entries and helping secure an important Brisbane victory at GMHBA Stadium. Neale left the ground that night frustrated, believing he had let both himself and his teammates down.

"I walked away a bit disappointed in my performance around how I played on him (in round 15)," Neale admitted. "I was a bit upset ... I walked away kicking the dirt a bit about letting my teammates down. We couldn't get it forward not because I was letting him intercept, but he was intercepting. I hate letting my teammates down and I hate being the one that doesn't necessarily cost us the game, but someone that didn't stand up when they needed to."

Learning from Mistakes

Those words capture the honesty and self-awareness that have marked Neale’s rise this season. Rather than allowing Andrews to dominate again in the qualifying final, the young Cat flipped his mindset. Instead of focusing solely on shutting down the three-time All-Australian, he concentrated on his own game — and the results followed.

Geelong reversed their round-15 loss with a commanding 38-point win in the qualifying final, sending them directly into the decider and giving Neale some personal redemption. While he finished the night with just six disposals and a single goal, his role went beyond the stat sheet. By ensuring Andrews couldn’t roam freely and intercept at will, Neale helped open opportunities for the Cats’ forwards, including Coleman Medal winner Jeremy Cameron.

"I got rid of a defence mindset on him and just tried to play my own game," Neale said. "I'll try to do that again this week and hopefully our best footy stands up against theirs."

The Harris Andrews Challenge

Still, Neale is under no illusions about the size of the challenge. Andrews is widely regarded as one of the AFL’s best key defenders, with his mix of size, strength, reach, and football smarts making him one of the hardest opponents in the competition.

"Harris has been a quality defender for such a long period of time and he reads the ball so well," Neale said. "He's got ultra-long arms and he's really strong. It's hard to out-smart someone as good as him."

The 27-year-old Brisbane skipper has been at the heart of the Lions’ resurgence in recent years. His ability to marshal the backline, control aerial contests, and punish opposition mistakes makes him invaluable — particularly in high-stakes games.

Neale’s Breakout Season

Neale, however, has also been stamping his mark on the competition in 2024. With 43 goals for the season, he has emerged as a reliable forward partner to Cameron, whose 88 majors earned him the Coleman Medal.

Though finals footy has tightened the screws — Neale has managed just two goals across two September outings so far — his influence extends well beyond the scoreboard. Against a defensive powerhouse like Brisbane, his ability to drag Andrews into contests and prevent him from floating across packs could prove just as valuable as kicking a bag of goals.

The Grand Final Task

Saturday’s grand final at the MCG promises a fascinating tactical battle. Brisbane come into the match with momentum after bouncing back from their qualifying final defeat. They eliminated Gold Coast and Collingwood in consecutive cut-throat clashes to book their place in the decider.

Geelong, on the other hand, enjoyed the luxury of an extra week off after their strong win over the Lions. But Neale knows that the past counts for little when the premiership is on the line.

"We talk about getting our game style going and when we're doing that to the best of our ability we have full confidence that it can beat anyone," Neale said. "We'll take a bit of confidence out of the qualifying final but it's a new game, new week and they've got some good momentum. They've come off the back of two strong wins and it's a grand final, so you're going to have a challenge. But we're ready to go and everyone's really excited to be here."

Redemption on the Big Stage

For Neale, this grand final is more than just another game. It’s a chance to prove to himself — and to the football world — that he belongs on the biggest stage. After admitting to his disappointment earlier in the season, the opportunity to redeem himself against the same opponent adds another layer of intrigue.

Andrews will be determined to reassert his dominance, while Neale is desperate to ensure history does not repeat itself. Their duel could well shape the outcome of the match, with Geelong’s forward structure relying heavily on keeping Brisbane’s captain contained.

As the Cats chase another premiership and the Lions aim to cap off their strong September run, all eyes will be on whether Neale can back up his words and maintain his aggressive, forward-first approach.

In a contest defined by stars like Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield, Lachie Neale, and Charlie Cameron, it might just be Shannon Neale’s ability to nullify Harris Andrews that proves decisive.