Brisbane superstar Lachie Neale is facing a one-match suspension for an off-ball strike on Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan, ruling him out of Saturday's Grand Final against Fremantle.
The ban came during the Lions' thrilling Preliminary Final win over the Hawks at the MCG.
Neale and Brisbane are challenging the decision with the AFL Tribunal in a bid to allow the two-time Brownlow Medallist one last game, and potential flag, before he jets south to Collingwood next season.
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Welcome to Zero Hanger's live blog of the Lachie Neale Tribunal case for his off the ball hit on Ginnivan. Follow below for all the latest updates as Neale pleads his case.
Neale's council Mr Anderson believes what Neale did what was not a strike, and if it was, it is not strong enough of a strike to cause damage.
The AFL's council Mr Woods said the AFL would not be for or against Neale pushing for an exceptional case clause to the Tribunal if his suspension is upheld.
Ginnivan was assessed on the field after the incident, but he remained on the field and would not have missed any training or games from the incident.
Neale provided evidence to the Tribunal.
He brought up the fact he won two best-and-fairest awards for Fremantle during his time at the club while talking about his journey from playing football in South Australia to being drafted to Fremantle to his move to Brisbane.
Neale then acknowledged that he won four best-and-fairests, All-Australians and two Brownlow Medals during his time at Brisbane (his council asked him to do this he isn't just bragging).
Mr Anderson then asked if Neale was suspended at state league or AFL level during his career? The answers were both "no".
Neale said he didn't think Ginnivan's interaction with Brisbane's Eric Hipwood were good and wanted to show his disappointment.
Neale said he body checked and bump Ginnivan, felt his shoulder makee contact with Ginnivan's body. Shoulder first and then his arm wrapped around Ginnivan.
He didn't feel like he was striking Ginnivan at all.
Felt that Ginnivan stopped and braced when he saw Neale coming, knew that Neale was there and that he braced for impact.
Neale said he was indicating after the incident that Ginnivan took a dive. That's why he signalled a diving action.
Neale said Ginnivan had a smile on his face but didn't say anything.
The Tribunal is now running through the vision of the incident.
Neale's council is indicating the footage shows Ginnivan see Neale coming and raise his left arm to brace for contact. And that the contact is made with Neale's chest and shoulder.
Neale said the contact felt like it was "almost the start of a tackle" and that his fist was not clenched.
Neale said his arm gets wrapped up in Ginnivan's arms like it would in a tackle.
Neale said his right arm and his chest pushes Ginnivan to the ground and that he felt that contribute to Ginnivan moving forwards.
Neale said he called Ginnivan this morning and that the Hawk said he felt it was more of a bump than a strike and that's what caused him to fall to ground.
Mr Woods is showing footage what looks to be shot from space.
Mr Woods is now questioning Neale.
Neale said he agreed that the ball was not near the area or contesting the ball.
Neale said he accepted that he didn't slow down before contact but that he wasn't moving at great speed.
Mr Woods asked if Neale accepts that he swung his left arm. Mr Woods said he believes that he was swinging his arm back to swing forward and strike him. Neale disagreed.
Mr Woods said he doesn't think Ginnivan braced for contact or if he did it was a split second.
Neale said he was aware of the AFL's striking rules in 2026.
Mr Woods asked if Neale knew he was playing in a Preliminary Final. Neale said he did.
AFL Tribunal chair Jeff Gleeson is now questioning Neale.
Gleeson asked if Neale made contact with Ginnivan's torso. Neale said it would have only been light contact if he did.
Asked Neale what a body check was. Neale said it is a bit more open body contact than a bump.
Gleeson asked if they usually involve a swinging forearm motion.
Neale said it was a mainly chest, but that the arm does often get involved.
Mr Anderson asked him about his previous record of charges for strikes (none of which have resulted in suspension).
Neale said they were all forms of retaliation from previous strikes.
Neale said all three instances were from tagging instances.
Mr Woods said he will be addressing intentions on whether or not it was a strike.
He is going through the definition of a strike in the AFL's rules.
Mr Woods said if you look at the vision that the forceful swinging of the arm is a very clear strike. Not a bump or body check.
He said the first contact is the extended arm into Ginnivan's torso and that he is driven immediately to ground.
