Lachie Neale Criticizes Brisbane Lions’ Performance Following Shocking Loss
Brisbane Lions’ co-captain and Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale has issued a scathing critique of his team’s performance following their surprising one-point loss to Carlton in the opening round of the 2024 AFL season. Neale, who has been a pivotal player for the Lions, did not hold back in his assessment, calling out the team for being “selfish” and “lazy.”
The Lions had a commanding lead of 46 points midway through the second quarter, but a remarkable comeback by Carlton saw them clinch victory, ending Brisbane’s 14-game winning streak at the Gabba. Neale expressed his frustration with the team’s complacency, noting that the intensity and hunger that marked their play in the first half dissipated, allowing Carlton to dominate the latter stages of the game.
In a post-match interview, Neale emphasized the importance of maintaining high levels of intensity and focus throughout the entire game. He stated, “Our intensity and hunger for defence and contest dropped away, and they punished us. It’s a great lesson. I’m glad we learned it now and not later in the year that in AFL footy you’ve got to be on for 120 minutes.”
Neale highlighted specific instances where he felt the team let themselves down, citing poor defensive decisions and a lack of commitment in crucial moments. He described the 25-minute period around halftime as particularly problematic, where the team’s choices reflected a lack of effort and cohesion. “We probably chose some easy options and were a little bit lazy on defence sometimes. We didn’t dig in, and basically, you’re shitting on your teammates when you don’t do that,” he added
Neale’s candid remarks underscore a critical early-season reality check for the Brisbane Lions, who are looking to build on their previous successes and make a strong push in the 2024 season. The team will need to address these issues quickly if they hope to avoid similar pitfalls in future matches.
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