A legend declared Neale’s evolution is not done. Does a third Brownlow beckon?

Luke Hodge joined the Lions just as Lachie Neale was ascending to become one of the AFL’s best.

But Hawthorn legend Hodge, a three-time premiership-winning captain, believes the Brisbane co-captain still has another gear to reach in his side’s quest to end a two-decade title drought.

Two best and fairest medals already hang on Neale’s mantle, but statistically the 31-year-old has evolved his game again, rescuing his side from a horror start to 2024.

He is on track to register the most inside 50s and goals of his career, and has nearly doubled his best season of goal assists as he pushed forward more frequently.

It has made Brisbane the competition’s most lethal inside-50 team, their wayward goalkicking denying them a spot in the top four.

Neale said what transpired in 2024 came from an internal focus: honing his own role, and trusting the men around him would do the same.

“The biggest thing I’ve probably learned is not to change ... but I didn’t start that well,” he said.

“In 2023, my own form sort of dipped away a fair bit there, and I was trying to worry about what the team was doing, and worry about every other person’s job.

“I went away from what I’m really good at. Making sure you spend a lot of time focusing on getting your part right was probably the biggest lesson I learned, and others follow that.

“I just feel like my game’s in good order, so I’m reading the game a little bit better than I was in the first half of the year, and getting into better and more dangerous spots.”

Across the board, Neale has remained consistent. But after 12 years, he has found ways to transform his output in other areas, and has Hodge convinced he is not yet the finished product.

And Hodge declared even if the Greater Western Sydney Giants heavily tagged the midfielder in Saturday’s semi-final, he would only make others more dangerous.

“One thing with Lachie is nothing surprises you,” Hodge said, on the Brisbane leg of the AFL Premiership Cup Tour.

“How he works on his game, what he does on the footy field is not luck, it’s all the work that he does behind the scenes that lets him perform like that on game day.”

“He’s getting better, it’s surprising the fact he’s a dual-Brownlow medallist, but the football he played between rounds 10 and 20 this year were as good as he’s played in his career.

“One thing he’s added to his game is the selfless mindset stuff. When you’re a young A-grade on-baller you want to go and get the footy as much as you possibly can.

“What Lachie has added is if he’s getting a tag, he’s happy to go make a 2-v-1, he’s happy to go play a selfless role of football, so his midfielders can get the ball as well.

“He’s picked up on his agility, his sidestep, and rather than getting the ball in handball, he’s able to use his legs and break from a contest and hit a kick. It does make him almost the all-round complete player.”

Brisbane had been reeling with a 2-5 record, their hopes of avenging last year’s grand final defeat evaporating.

From rounds 10 to 22, Neale took the revival personally – averaging 28.46 disposals, 4.32 inside 50s and 7.62 clearances a game, and his side would suffer just one defeat in that time.

As for whether he feels he has done enough to claim a third Brownlow medal: “Two’s enough I reckon,” Neale said, laughing.

“I think Patty [Cripps] and [Nick] Daicos will be hard to catch.”

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.