Hawthorn great Luke Hodge is confident Brisbane co-captain Lachie Neale will return for Saturday's Grand Final against Geelong, as the 32-year-old continues to mount a strong case for selection.
Neale jogged laps and took part in various drills during the club's open training session this morning in front of 2,000 supporters, with the team scheduled to fly to Melbourne tomorrow ahead of Friday's Grand Final parade.
The star midfielder has missed the last two finals for the Lions after suffering a calf injury in their qualifying final loss to the Cats.
But Hodge, who played two seasons for the Lions in 2018 and 2019, is backing his former teammate to return for Saturday's decider.
MORE: 'I don't really care': Dayne Zorko on grabbing Mason Cox's glasses
"I can see him (Neale) being a part of Grand Final day," Hodge said on SEN Melbourne.
"I think the question you've gotta sit back (and ask is) is he match fit?
"There's a difference between passing a fitness test and being ready to play a Grand Final, and being match fit.
"He's passed all tests...so the question they need to ask internally is can Lachie Neale play 120 minutes against a supreme, fit, fast midfield and be able to defend and attack?"
Brisbane wingman Jarrod Berry appears unlikely to play after being subbed out of last week's preliminary final with a dislocated shoulder, which Hodge believes could open the door for Neale's return.
"This is maybe another little door open for Lachie Neale to step in," he said.
"Jarrod Berry goes out, Bruce Reville goes in as wing...Lachie might be able to slip in as a sub and then be called upon if they're getting smacked in the clearances, come on in the second half.
"If they need him to come on for an injury at quarter time, well then he's there to play.
"That's the big question they've gotta to ask themselves, so I think he'll definitely be there Grand Final day, it's just the role (he plays)."