Neale links Fremantle and Brisbane ahead of AFL grand final

Lachie Neale stands at the centre of the shared history between Fremantle and Brisbane as the clubs prepare to meet in the AFL grand final. Neale was a 20-year-old substitute for Fremantle in the 2013 grand final against Hawthorn. He came on for ruckman Zac Clarke and collected seven disposals, but Fremantle ultimately lost to the experienced Hawthorn side.

Thirteen years later, Neale is preparing to face his former club in Brisbane colours while pursuing a third successive premiership. The grand final will be his 321st AFL appearance. Fremantle and Brisbane entered the AFL during the league’s expansion beyond Victoria.

Brisbane’s history includes the Bears, who entered the competition in 1987, and the Fitzroy Lions, whose merger produced the Brisbane Lions in 1996. Fremantle began its inaugural season in 1995 as Western Australia’s second team. Their early histories are closely connected.

Fremantle’s first AFL win came against the Fitzroy Lions in round three of the 1995 season, while Fitzroy’s final AFL victory came against Fremantle in round eight of 1996. Fitzroy’s last AFL match was also against Fremantle, in Perth in round 22 of that season. Brisbane won three consecutive premierships from 2001 to 2003 and reached four straight grand finals between 2001 and 2004 under coach Leigh Matthews.

Fremantle’s first finals appearance came in its ninth AFL season, and the club later reached the 2013 grand final before losing to Hawthorn. Neale was drafted by Fremantle with the 58th selection in 2011 and made his AFL debut in round four of 2012. He became one of the club’s key midfielders before joining Brisbane, where his career has tied together two clubs with contrasting premiership records: Brisbane have five titles, while Fremantle have yet to win one.