The Brisbane Lions have suffered significant injury setbacks as they prepare for the finals, with key players Jared Neale and Eric Hipwood ruled out for the remainder of the season. Neale returned to the field for the first time in over a month during a match against Geelong, but a calf injury has now sidelined him again. Meanwhile, Hipwood faces a serious challenge with a partial tear of his left ACL, requiring surgery in the coming days.
Neale’s absence will be felt deeply, particularly after his impressive return where he recorded 32 disposals, despite the team’s overall poor performance. This injury follows his absence from the last three games of the home-and-away season due to a quad complaint. Lions football boss Danny Daly expressed the team’s devastation, stating, “Having Eric miss the finals series through injury is really devastating for him and his family and for us as a club.”
Hipwood’s situation is particularly concerning, as he may have played through the ACL injury for several months. Daly noted the remarkable effort Hipwood displayed in continuing to contribute to the team despite the pain.
In a press briefing on Friday evening, Lions coach Chris Fagan commented on Neale’s condition, indicating he was “not expecting great news” after the scans. “Looks like he’s done a calf, so that’s not a good thing,” he said. Fagan acknowledged Neale’s toughness, remarking that it takes a lot for the player to come off the field.
The Lions’ lackluster showing against Geelong highlighted their need for star players, particularly following the retirement of Joe Daniher after their grand final victory last year. Fagan remains focused on immediate challenges rather than long-term implications, noting that his priority is simply to “try to win a game next week.”
Despite the injuries, Fagan remains optimistic about the team’s resilience. “I’ve got a lot of faith in this group,” he stated. “They’ve been in the last seven finals series and done some pretty good work in that time.” This season, the Lions will need to demonstrate that resilience once again if they hope to advance to a preliminary final against Collingwood at the MCG.
As the Lions navigate these challenges, they will need to adapt quickly to the loss of key players and regain their competitive edge. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining whether Brisbane can overcome their adversity and continue their pursuit of another premiership title.
