Brisbane Lions’ Lachie Neale will be eligible to play in Saturday’s AFL grand final against Fremantle after successfully appealing a one-game suspension for striking Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan in the preliminary final. The AFL Appeals Board downgraded Neale’s penalty to a $10,000 fine on Thursday night, overturning the ban initially imposed by the tribunal earlier in the week.

Neale, a dual Brownlow Medal winner and 320-game veteran, faced suspension after being found guilty of striking in the lead-up to the grand final. Brisbane’s legal team argued that the original tribunal erred by not applying the exceptional and compelling circumstances provision, which has previously resulted in fines instead of suspensions for players such as Scott Pendlebury and Charlie Cameron. The appeals board agreed, finding that Neale’s clean disciplinary record and the timing of the offence warranted reconsideration of the sanction.

Appeals chair Richard Loveridge explained that the tribunal’s focus on whether Neale’s conduct was intentional was misplaced. “The charge had already been established,” Loveridge said. “The relevant inquiry was whether there were exceptional and compelling circumstances. In this case, that was Mr Neale’s exemplary record.” As a result, the appeals board allowed the appeal and replaced the suspension with a monetary fine.

Neale expressed relief following the decision, thanking the club, Lions football boss Danny Daly, and the appeals board for their support. “I’m looking forward to playing in the grand final now,” he said. “I just want to play my part and win on Saturday. It will be a difficult challenge against Fremantle, but hopefully we can do it.”

The ruling sparked debate among AFL commentators and former players, with some viewing the decision as undermining the league’s strict disciplinary approach throughout the season. Critics argued that Neale’s strike was a clear infraction and that permitting him to play could set a precedent for leniency in high-stakes matches. However, others felt the exceptional nature of the grand final and Neale’s otherwise clean record justified the appeal.

Brisbane will enter the grand final with an unchanged lineup, as will Fremantle, who opted to retain Oscar McDonald in defense instead of recalling Brennan Cox. Neale’s clearance allows him to pursue a potential premiership three-peat with the Lions, while also closing out his eight-year tenure at Brisbane before reportedly signing a three-year contract with Collingwood starting next season.

Neale’s case marks the first time since 2003 that a player facing suspension after a preliminary final successfully avoided missing a grand final, underscoring the exceptional circumstances surrounding the decision. The match is scheduled to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with both teams preparing for a high-stakes contest to decide this year’s AFL premiership.