The Brisbane Lions will challenge the one-match ban handed to superstar Lachie Neale, after he was charged with striking Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan in the first quarter of Saturday night's preliminary final.
His alleged gut punch was deemed intentional conduct and medium impact - a combination that has, all year, resulted in a one-match ban.
The Lions, almost immediately after the sanction was officially handed down after hours of speculation, communicated their decision to fight the ruling, in the hopes their dual Brownlow Medallist can feature on the grandest stage of them all, once again.
The Brisbane Lions can confirm the club will challenge Lachie Neale's one match suspension.
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) September 20, 2026
Meanwhile, Hawthorn co-captain James Sicily has been handed a $10,000 fine for his altercation with umpire Hayden Meyer at the conclusion of the match.
Clearly affronted by Meyer's decision to award a free kick to Hugh McCluggage inside attacking 50 in the epic's closing moments, Sicily was seen speaking aggressively to Meyer while his opponents celebrated jubilantly, after the final siren.
Experienced campaigner Tom Barrass was also involved, fielding a $5000 fine for his involvement.
Both men were charged with "engaging in any other act of misconduct", with the severity of the financial sanction under that criteria entirely at the MRO's discretion.
Michael Christian explained the reasoning for the hefty fines, for which no early guilty plea or subsequent reduction has been offered.
"The Match Review Officer has determined that the matters do not constitute the Fixed Financial Offence of ‘Abusive Language Towards in Umpire' given the prescribed sanction for that Fixed Financial Offence is inadequate in all the circumstances and does not reflect the seriousness of Sicily or Barrass' actions," the MRO's explanation read.
"The AFL will make no further comment on these matters pending the finalisation of them, noting the charges may be challenged at the AFL Tribunal by Sicily and or Barrass."
Teammate Jai Newcombe escaped suspension for his incidental contact with Neale in the contest's opening seconds.
Christian also explained that ruling.
"As the ball comes off the ruck contest, Dunkley pushes Newcombe whilst Ward simultaneously pushes Neale as they position themselves to contest the ball which results in Newcombe making contact with Neale," he said.
"It was the view of the MRO that there were circumstances outside of Newcombe's control and that his actions were not unreasonable in the circumstances and did not constitute a reportable offence."
