Lachie Neale cleared to play AFL Grand Final after ban sensationally overturned
Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale is free to play in Saturday's AFL Grand Final after the Appeal Board overturned his one-match striking ban, replacing it with a $10,000 fine on account of his 'exemplary' 320-game record.
Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale is free to play in Saturday’s AFL Grand Final after the league’s Appeal Board sensationally overturned his one-match ban for striking Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan.
The Appeal Board dismissed the suspension on Thursday night following a two-and-a-half-hour hearing, replacing it with a $10,000 fine. It cited Neale’s “exemplary” record of never previously being suspended in 320 games, finding he should be afforded the benefit of the “exceptional and compelling circumstances” provision (AFL.com.au).
Appeal Board chair Richard Loveridge said: “We find that Neale’s record is exemplary, and that he should be afforded the benefit of the provision.”
The 33-year-old dual Brownlow medallist was banned for an off-the-ball strike — a left-handed blow to Ginnivan’s stomach — late in the first quarter of the preliminary final, after Ginnivan had been wrestling with Lions forward Eric Hipwood. Neale failed to have the ban thrown out at the Tribunal on Tuesday night before the last-ditch appeal succeeded.
Neale said he was “obviously very happy with the Appeal Board’s decision” and that he was looking forward to playing in the decider.
He will now face Fremantle, his former club, at the MCG on Saturday as the Lions chase a historic three-peat (Fox Sports).
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