Overview

• Lachie Neale completed Brisbane’s open session at Springfield, joining drills with change-of-direction work and showing no issues at low to moderate intensity before flying to Melbourne on Wednesday.
• Selection hinges on Neale getting through Thursday’s tougher hit-out and receiving medical clearance before the match committee weighs a recall for the Grand Final against Geelong.
• Jarrod Berry trained away from the main group after a second shoulder dislocation in five weeks, doing non-contact work and leaving early, which leaves his availability in significant doubt.
• Club voices are increasingly upbeat, with football boss Danny Daly rating Neale a 90% chance if he passes the sessions, as outside experts and commentators urge caution, including Kane Cornes calling a selection risky and Dr Peter Larkins rating him an outside chance earlier.
• Brisbane reached the decider without Neale after initial club guidance projected a four-to-six week, season-ending calf injury from September 5, while Josh Dunkley says he will play despite ankle soreness.