
Lions skipper to miss run to finals through injury
But the Lions are confident co-captain Neale will be on target to return for the first week of the finals.
The dual Brownlow medallist was experiencing soreness following Brisbane's 27-point win over Collingwood before scans revealed a tear in his quad.
Neale will miss Saturday's clash against 10th-placed Sydney at the Gabba and matches against top-eight sides Fremantle (Optus) and Hawthorn (Gabba).
Brisbane have also lost defender Ryan Lester (concussion), with Tom Doedee shaping as a potential choice to replace the veteran.
Arriving from Adelaide in 2023, Doedee has not made his debut for the Lions after suffering setbacks while rehabilitating from a knee reconstruction.
Elsewhere, Nick Larkey is in doubt for North Melbourne's away clash against GWS after re-injuring his right knee.
On return from a PCL injury, the star forward aggravated his knee after landing heavily from an aerial contest in North's nine-point defeat to St Kilda.
North captain Jy Simpkin is also experiencing inflammation of a tendon behind a knee but is listed as a test alongside first-year player Zac Banch (rib).
GWS have lost youngster Toby McMullin to a season-ending ankle injury, while lethal goalkicker Jesse Hogan continues to manage foot soreness.
Midfielder McMullin has undergone surgery for a syndesmosis injury he suffered in the Giants' horror defeat to the Western Bulldogs.

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The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Magpies flag changes for massive Hawks clash
Key defender Jeremy Howe will make a welcome return for Collingwood in Thursday night's AFL blockbuster against Hawthorn. But small forward Bobby Hill, who returned from several games out in last week's loss to Brisbane, could be an absentee again because of illness. Coach Craig McRae said another tall backman, Billy Frampton, was also closing on a return after strong VFL form. The Magpies have lost three of their past four games and Howe has been sidelined since round 19 with a groin injury. Frampton has recovered from a calf injury. "Jeremy will definitely play, he got through (training) today well," McRae said. "Billy's name will come up into consideration, yep. I loved his game (in) the VFL, really enjoyed that. He performed well. "He'll put some question marks at match committee around his magnet." McRae added Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, had gastro. "It's a bugger," he said. "He may be in doubt. We'll have to see how he goes in the next 24 hours." Despite losing top spot with the defeat to Brisbane, McRae remained upbeat about his team's build-up to the finals. "We did a lot right and then there are little parts of our game that we're getting feedback around," he said. "We just have to keep tidying up. "I'd much rather get those lessons learned now - or the feedback now - than in three or four weeks' time ... 'Here we are, fighting for our lives'. "There are little things that we can look at straight away and go, 'We can fix that - we can fix that'. McRae was asked if he had had any more contact with Carlton defender Jack Silvagni. After saying last week he had met with Silvagni, who is about to come out of contract, McRae did not want to add to the issue. "I will leave that alone - I think I've said enough," he said. Meanwhile, captain James Sicily's return to form looms as a massive factor for Hawthorn against the Magpies. AFL commentator and former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley noted Harris Andrews was a major headache for Collingwood last Saturday night as the star Brisbane defender repeatedly thwarted their long kicks into attack. Sicily can have a similar impact to Andrews at the MCG. "They just couldn't score off their long-down-the-lines (kicks). They usually score two in three. Harris Andrews absolutely controlled that aspect of the game," Buckley told Fox Footy's On The Couch. "If you have a player who can control that aspect against Collingwood, you're going to be well-and-truly in the match." Key defender Jeremy Howe will make a welcome return for Collingwood in Thursday night's AFL blockbuster against Hawthorn. But small forward Bobby Hill, who returned from several games out in last week's loss to Brisbane, could be an absentee again because of illness. Coach Craig McRae said another tall backman, Billy Frampton, was also closing on a return after strong VFL form. The Magpies have lost three of their past four games and Howe has been sidelined since round 19 with a groin injury. Frampton has recovered from a calf injury. "Jeremy will definitely play, he got through (training) today well," McRae said. "Billy's name will come up into consideration, yep. I loved his game (in) the VFL, really enjoyed that. He performed well. "He'll put some question marks at match committee around his magnet." McRae added Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, had gastro. "It's a bugger," he said. "He may be in doubt. We'll have to see how he goes in the next 24 hours." Despite losing top spot with the defeat to Brisbane, McRae remained upbeat about his team's build-up to the finals. "We did a lot right and then there are little parts of our game that we're getting feedback around," he said. "We just have to keep tidying up. "I'd much rather get those lessons learned now - or the feedback now - than in three or four weeks' time ... 'Here we are, fighting for our lives'. "There are little things that we can look at straight away and go, 'We can fix that - we can fix that'. McRae was asked if he had had any more contact with Carlton defender Jack Silvagni. After saying last week he had met with Silvagni, who is about to come out of contract, McRae did not want to add to the issue. "I will leave that alone - I think I've said enough," he said. Meanwhile, captain James Sicily's return to form looms as a massive factor for Hawthorn against the Magpies. AFL commentator and former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley noted Harris Andrews was a major headache for Collingwood last Saturday night as the star Brisbane defender repeatedly thwarted their long kicks into attack. Sicily can have a similar impact to Andrews at the MCG. "They just couldn't score off their long-down-the-lines (kicks). They usually score two in three. Harris Andrews absolutely controlled that aspect of the game," Buckley told Fox Footy's On The Couch. "If you have a player who can control that aspect against Collingwood, you're going to be well-and-truly in the match." Key defender Jeremy Howe will make a welcome return for Collingwood in Thursday night's AFL blockbuster against Hawthorn. But small forward Bobby Hill, who returned from several games out in last week's loss to Brisbane, could be an absentee again because of illness. Coach Craig McRae said another tall backman, Billy Frampton, was also closing on a return after strong VFL form. The Magpies have lost three of their past four games and Howe has been sidelined since round 19 with a groin injury. Frampton has recovered from a calf injury. "Jeremy will definitely play, he got through (training) today well," McRae said. "Billy's name will come up into consideration, yep. I loved his game (in) the VFL, really enjoyed that. He performed well. "He'll put some question marks at match committee around his magnet." McRae added Hill, the 2023 Norm Smith Medallist, had gastro. "It's a bugger," he said. "He may be in doubt. We'll have to see how he goes in the next 24 hours." Despite losing top spot with the defeat to Brisbane, McRae remained upbeat about his team's build-up to the finals. "We did a lot right and then there are little parts of our game that we're getting feedback around," he said. "We just have to keep tidying up. "I'd much rather get those lessons learned now - or the feedback now - than in three or four weeks' time ... 'Here we are, fighting for our lives'. "There are little things that we can look at straight away and go, 'We can fix that - we can fix that'. McRae was asked if he had had any more contact with Carlton defender Jack Silvagni. After saying last week he had met with Silvagni, who is about to come out of contract, McRae did not want to add to the issue. "I will leave that alone - I think I've said enough," he said. Meanwhile, captain James Sicily's return to form looms as a massive factor for Hawthorn against the Magpies. AFL commentator and former Magpies coach Nathan Buckley noted Harris Andrews was a major headache for Collingwood last Saturday night as the star Brisbane defender repeatedly thwarted their long kicks into attack. Sicily can have a similar impact to Andrews at the MCG. "They just couldn't score off their long-down-the-lines (kicks). They usually score two in three. Harris Andrews absolutely controlled that aspect of the game," Buckley told Fox Footy's On The Couch. "If you have a player who can control that aspect against Collingwood, you're going to be well-and-truly in the match."

The Australian
10 hours ago
- The Australian
AFL 2025; Lachie Neale sidelined until finals
Brisbane Lions superstar Lachie Neale won't play the remainder of the home and away season after suffering a quad injury. The dual Brownlow Medallist underwent scans after pulling up sore from the Lions' triumphant win over Collingwood at the MCG last Saturday. They revealed a minor concern which will sideline Neale for three weeks. The pre-finals bye means Neale should be able to return for Brisbane's premiership defence. Reliable defender Ryan Lester has entered mandatory concussion protocols after his head clash against the Magpies. The Lions are third with games against Sydney, Fremantle and Hawthorn to come on the run home. NORTH Melbourne forward Nick Larkey's availability for Round 22 is in doubt after he re-aggravated his knee injury in Sunday's loss to St Kilda. A heavy landing after an aerial contest exacerbated the PCL injury to his right knee. 'He was moving well post-game but will be braced conservatively in the early part of this week while his availability and planning is confirmed later in the week after medical consultation,' North Melbourne head of performance Kevin White said. Kangaroos Captain Jy Simpkin also faces a fitness test later in the week after experiencing inflammation of the tendon behind his knee. GWS have lost emerging midfielder Toby McMullin for the rest of the season after scans confirmed a syndesmosis injury for the youngster. The 20-year-old underwent surgery on Monday to repair the damage. St Kilda, meanwhile, has suffered a late-season blow with young forward Mitch Owens ruled out for the year. Owens sustained a hamstring injury during the Saints' win over North Melbourne and will not feature again until 2026. 'You never want to see any of your players on the sidelines, however at this time of year it would be unnecessary to take any undue risks,' St Kilda general manager David Misson said. 'Mitch will meet with further specialists in the coming days to assess whether or not surgery will be required. 'He's a great young guy who we know will take all the necessary steps to get him back on the park as soon as possible.' NewsWire There has been a leadership shake-up at Adelaide United, with the club's captain of the past two years the major casualty. NewsWire A Tasmanian couple who were last seen departing George Town airport in a light plane on Saturday have been identified.

Sky News AU
11 hours ago
- Sky News AU
AFL 2025; Lachie Neale sidelined until finals
Brisbane Lions superstar Lachie Neale won't play the remainder of the home and away season after suffering a quad injury. The dual Brownlow Medallist underwent scans after pulling up sore from the Lions' triumphant win over Collingwood at the MCG last Saturday. They revealed a minor concern which will sideline Neale for three weeks. The pre-finals bye means Neale should be able to return for Brisbane's premiership defence. Reliable defender Ryan Lester has entered mandatory concussion protocols after his head clash against the Magpies. The Lions are third with games against Sydney, Fremantle and Hawthorn to come on the run home. NORTH Melbourne forward Nick Larkey's availability for Round 22 is in doubt after he re-aggravated his knee injury in Sunday's loss to St Kilda. A heavy landing after an aerial contest exacerbated the PCL injury to his right knee. 'He was moving well post-game but will be braced conservatively in the early part of this week while his availability and planning is confirmed later in the week after medical consultation,' North Melbourne head of performance Kevin White said. Kangaroos Captain Jy Simpkin also faces a fitness test later in the week after experiencing inflammation of the tendon behind his knee. GWS have lost emerging midfielder Toby McMullin for the rest of the season after scans confirmed a syndesmosis injury for the youngster. The 20-year-old underwent surgery on Monday to repair the damage. St Kilda, meanwhile, has suffered a late-season blow with young forward Mitch Owens ruled out for the year. Owens sustained a hamstring injury during the Saints' win over North Melbourne and will not feature again until 2026. 'You never want to see any of your players on the sidelines, however at this time of year it would be unnecessary to take any undue risks,' St Kilda general manager David Misson said. 'Mitch will meet with further specialists in the coming days to assess whether or not surgery will be required. 'He's a great young guy who we know will take all the necessary steps to get him back on the park as soon as possible.' Originally published as AFL 2025: Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale sidelined with a quad concern