Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale will miss the AFL Grand Final after a one-match suspension for striking an opponent.

Sydney Morning Herald, news.com.au, The Australian + 2 more · Australia

20 Sept 20265 outlets

What it means

Lachie Neale, a star midfielder for the Brisbane Lions, has been suspended for one match after striking an opponent (Jack Ginnivan) with a during a preliminary final. The ban means he will miss the , the league's championship decider. Brisbane has announced they will appeal the suspension in an attempt to have Neale available for the game.

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

The claim is solid: multiple major Australian news outlets (Sydney Morning Herald, news.com.au, ABC, 7NEWS) report the same facts, all citing the AFL Match Review Officer's decision. The reporting sits close to the primary source (the ruling), and the consistency across outlets confirms the suspension and the Lions' appeal.

How new

Genuinely new: reported on 20 September 2026, just days before the AFL Grand Final.

Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale will miss the AFL Grand Final after a one-match suspension for striking an opponent.

What it means

Accuracy & sourcesGrounded

How new

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