Brisbane Lions superstar Lachie Neale is every chance to play in next week's Grand Final against Geelong, while a number of other important Lions face injury clouds.
In the qualifying final against the Cats a fortnight ago, Neale exited the contest prematurely with a calf concern, with the club initially fearing his season was over.
But the two-time Brownlow medallist has been putting in intense work to keep the door ajar for a miracle return, including spending hours inside a hyperbaric chamber.
On the morning of the Lions' preliminary final win over Collingwood, Neale completed one of the "hardest sessions" of his career he told the Herald Sun's Jon Ralph, in an attempt to prove his fitness.
MORE: AFL Preliminary Final Brisbane player ratings: Collingwood can't go with Hugh McLuggage
In good news for Lions fans, Neale told Ralph, "I think I should confer with the doctor but I think I have been given the all clear.”
Lachie Neale tells @FOXFOOTY he cranked out a big session today. “It was one of the hardest sessions I have ever done and got through it fine. I think I should confer with the doctor but I think I have been given the all clear.” Hopes to train as normal and play on Saturday
— Jon Ralph (@RalphyHeraldSun) September 20, 2025
"I think I've ticked every box so far that I've had to... I've gotta get the old boy (coach Chris Fagan) to pick me too, so I've gotta try get in his ear pretty early in the week," Neale clarified on Seven on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, Fagan admitted post-game to Brian Taylor that he thinks "there's some chance he'll be available for selection."
Oh my 👀#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/k23tV3ySns
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 20, 2025
MORE: Ty Gallop: Brisbane's finals hero, and the quintessential Lion
Multiple other Lions will enter next week's decider under some level of doubt. Jarrod Berry was subbed out of the preliminary final against the Pies after dislocating his shoulder, the same injury that forced him out of action at the end of the home-and-away. He, too, is optimistic on his chances of playing next week.
Meanwhile, Seven's Mitch Cleary reported that star midfielder Josh Dunkley left the MCG in a moon boot after rolling his ankle in the win, while Kai Lohmann was also dealing with an ankle concern. However, neither player was expected to miss next week's game.
Josh Dunkley left the MCG in a moon boot after his rolled ankle. Kai Lohmann with compression bandage on his ankle concern. No major concern for either.
— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) September 20, 2025
Plenty of optimism in the Lions rooms that Lachie Neale will play in the GF if he recovers well from today’s session@7AFL
The Lions' opponent Geelong will also not be at full strength, with defender Tom Stewart forced to the sidelines after entering concussion protocols in his side's win over Hawthorn on Friday night.