Overview

• Coach Chris Fagan says Neale’s recovery has exceeded expectations as the dual Brownlow medallist pushes to be available for a potential third straight Grand Final.
• Initial scans after his qualifying-final calf injury against Geelong projected up to six weeks on the sidelines.
• Brisbane has not made a selection call, with Fagan stressing any decision would depend on how Neale’s fitness stacks up against others in his role.
• For Saturday’s preliminary final at the MCG, the Lions are unchanged after the Gold Coast semi, while Collingwood recalled Jeremy Howe for Wil Parker and did not select Bobby Hill.
• The Lions trained at Marvel Stadium due to MCG scheduling, and Neale earlier missed three games with a quad issue before returning against Geelong.