The Brisbane Lions have confirmed they will appeal the AFL Tribunal's decision to suspend Lachie Neale.
Neale's one-match suspension for striking Jack Ginnivan was upheld at the tribunal on Tuesday night after a mammoth hearing.
The Lions' last avenue to have the two-time Brownlow Medalist available is to put the decision before the AFL Appeals Board.
The Lions have the following avenues for appeal:
- Error of law that has a material impact on the decision of the Tribunal.
- That the decision was so unreasonable that no tribunal acting reasonably could have come to that decision having regard to the evidence before it.- Classification of offence manifestly excessive or inadequate.- Sanction imposed manifestly excessive or inadequate.
The most likely grounds is that the decision was so unreasonable that no tribunal acting reasonably could have reached the decision given the grainy footage and Neale having never previously been suspended through 320 games.
It costs $10,000 to appeal, which is refundable if the Lions are successful.
A time and day for the Appeals Board hearing is yet to be confirmed.
