Lions 'praying' Neale gets off but confident they will cope if ban stands

Dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale will miss the AFL grand final after being banned for one match by the MRO for striking Jack Ginnivan during the preliminary finals. The ban was based on vision from a goal camera that showed Neale punching Ginnivan in the gut. Despite this, Neale's legal team is appealing the decision to the AFL Appeals Board, arguing his exceptional career and lack of previous suspensions should exempt him from the ban. New optical tracking footage has surfaced, which could further damage Neale’s case by showing a clearer view of the incident. The Lions are focused on presenting evidence of Neale’s history of never having been suspended before to argue for overturning the ban. This decision has sparked controversy and confusion among fans, questioning the consistency and fairness in how similar incidents are handled during crucial games versus regular seasons.