Lachie Neale's revelation about Nick Daicos amid huge call on winning third Brownlow Medal
The Lions favourite has some of his best form heading into the AFL finals.
Brisbane favourite Lachie Neale believes Nick Daicos and Patrick Cripps as clear favourites for the Brownlow Medal, despite his own sensational form to finish the season. Daicos and Cripps are the frontrunners to take home the Brownlow Medal this year with many fans unable to split the duo ahead of the AFL awards night.
Daicos potentially secured a vital three points in Collingwood's final game of the season against Melbourne at the MCG, while Cripps continued to impress for Carlton as he prepares to take on the Lions in the AFL finals. And while Neale is a long-shot to take home his third Brownlow Medal, the midfielder placed himself behind the likes of Daicos, Cripps and Western Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli.
Neale said his form has also correlated with the Lions' late season resurgent. The Lions started 0-3 in 2024, and slumped to two wins in the first seven matches.
However, Neale's form improved and he helped the Lions win 10 of their last 12 games to finish fifth. This has opened the door for a second grand final appearance in two years. And the 31-year-old Lions midfielder admitted he has found form at the right time of the season, regardless of the Brownlow Medal vote.
"I feel like I have been building similar to the team for the back half of the year," he said. "I didn't have much of a pre-season, didn't really do anything in the off-season after some surgery, so the first few games I was sort of finding my legs.
"My form has correlated with the team a little bit and I honestly feel like I am playing some of the best footy of my career. So I'm confident in what I can do and hopefully I can go out and deliver and play my role for the team. Whether that's a big game stats-wise, it doesn't matter ... it's about playing my role and I feel confident that I am able to do that with the way I am performing at the moment."
Lachie Neale praises Patrick Cripps ahead of showdown
The co-captain has improved throughout the season s having reached a season-high 40 disposals in his final game of the regular season against Essendon. He has also improved his goal kicking. Neale has recorded 10.2 in his last eight games.
This is an improvement considering he only had three goals before that in the season. And Neale's tantalising form sets-up an enticing clash with Carlton superstar Cripps. While Neale doesn't know who will look to tag him during the finals clash, the Brisbane co-captain has already built up the showdown with Cripps.
“The last couple of times it’s been (George) Hewett and (Adam) Cerra doing a bit of a role at stoppages but not a full tag, but then this year since we last played them, (Alex) Cincotta has done some really good roles,” Neale said.
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“He might go to someone like ‘Zorks’ (Dayne Zorko) or he might play on a dangerous small forward. Who knows? With Hewett, we’ve probably broken even over the last few years.
"I’m looking forward to playing Patty (Cripps), a superstar of the comp. It’s always a pleasure to play against those players and rise to those occasions.”
The Lions could welcome back defender Jack Payne this weekend in Saturday night’s elimination final against Carlton at the Gabba. Payne hasn't played since July 7 when the Lions defeated Adelaide at home. However, the defender returned to action of Brisbane’s VFL team last week and could be called upon against Carlton.
AFL week one finals schedule:
Second qualifying final: Port Adelaide v Geelong - Thursday September 5, Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm
Second elimination final: Western Bulldogs v Hawthorn - Friday September 6, MCG, 7.40pm
First qualifying final: Sydney v GWS - Saturday September 7, SCG, 3.20pm
First elimination final: Brisbane Lions v Carlton - Saturday September 7, Gabba, 7.30pm
