Neale's Father 'Worried' About Son Missing AFL Grand Final

Lachie Neale's father, Robbie, has expressed concern about his son missing the AFL grand final after the star Lion was handed a one-game suspension for striking during the preliminary final.

The suspension, which will keep Neale out of Saturday's decider against Fremantle at the MCG, has been appealed by the Lions in a bid to have their former captain available.

Robbie Neale told radio that the family is "worried" about Lachie missing the grand final at the end of a tumultuous year. "He's played 320 games, never been suspended," he said. "I just think to miss the grand final for this, it just … I've followed footy for a long time [and] it just doesn't add up to me."

Robbie Neale also suggested that Lachie would have been torn on whether to appeal and prolong the process in grand final week. "Lachie won't want the distraction for the team," he said.

The two-time Brownlow medallist has had a challenging year, including giving up the captaincy before the season and a widely publicised marriage breakdown. He was also under an injury cloud heading into last year's decider, ultimately playing only the second half and kicking a crucial long-range goal.

"This one [the suspension], we're worried for him, because I know this means everything to him to play in this grand final," Robbie Neale said. "Easy to say that he's already played in a few, but they've got a chance to create history here."

Robbie Neale also expressed frustration with the media attention surrounding his son, saying there had been "fabricated garbage" around Lachie, particularly regarding a reported move to Collingwood. "The last thing Lachie wanted this week was another headline. It's just so disappointing," he said.