{
  "id": 9094502,
  "title": "Live: Lachie Neale's grand final dreams on the line at AFL tribunal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/live-lachie-neales-grand-final-dreams-on-the-line-at-afl-tribunal",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T06:00:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-22/lachie-neale-afl-tribunal-live-blog/107181572"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Brisbane Lions are set to challenge Lachie Neale's ban for striking Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan at the AFL tribunal before their grand final match. Neale, a dual Brownlow medallist and former co-captain of the Lions, may have played his final game for the team, as Brisbane prepares for their second premiership threepeat in club history against Fremantle on Saturday. The incident occurred during the preliminary final between Hawthorn and Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday night, when Neale allegedly aimed a punch at Ginnivan's stomach. The match review officer assessed the incident as intentional conduct with medium impact and body contact, leading to a one-game ban. The AFL Tribunal hearing for Neale's case is a crucial moment for the Lions, as his fate could determine their chances of winning the grand final.",
  "summary": "The Brisbane Lions head to the AFL tribunal to challenge Lachie Neale's ban for striking Hawthorn's Jack Ginnivan, in the hopes of freeing the dual Brownlow medallist for the grand final. Follow live.",
  "key_points": [
    "Brisbane Lions to challenge Lachie Neale's ban at AFL tribunal",
    "Neale banned for one game after punching Jack Ginnivan",
    "Lions' grand final hopes hinge on Neale's fate"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Brisbane Lions' grand final aspirations hang in the balance as they contest Lachie Neale's one-game ban, with his potential absence a significant blow to their premiership hopes.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Live: Lachie Neale's grand final dreams on the line at AFL tribunal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/live-lachie-neales-grand-final-dreams-on-the-line-at-afl-tribunal-9094934",
        "published": "2026-09-22T06:00:48.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}