{
  "id": 9014959,
  "title": "Lions 'praying' Neale gets off but confident they will cope if ban stands",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/lions-praying-neale-gets-off-but-confident-they-will-cope-if-ban-9014959",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-21T21:31:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-22/afl-lachie-neale-brisbane-of-lions-facing-ban-from-grand-final/107179634"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale is set to appear before the AFL tribunal on Tuesday evening, where he hopes to have a striking charge against Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan overturned or downgraded. Neale, a two-time Brownlow medallist and premiership captain, faces a one-match ban if the suspension is upheld. The 33-year-old Lions player and his teammates are confident they can manage the absence, relying on their resilience in the face of adversity. The Lions will argue for a reduced sanction, citing a clause that allowed Collingwood star Scott Pendlebury to avoid a suspension in March due to his exemplary record. Neale, a four-time All Australian and with no previous tribunal appearances, will be praying for a favorable outcome.",
  "summary": "Lachie Neale will face the AFL tribunal in the hope of playing in Saturday's grand final, as his teammates prepare for the worst-case scenario.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Lions 'praying' Neale gets off but confident they will cope if ban stands",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/lions-praying-neale-gets-off-but-confident-they-will-cope-if-ban",
        "published": "2026-09-21T21:31:26.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}