They’ve tried to pin Neale down. It’s only unleashed a greater threat

As Brisbane powered to an emphatic triumph over Port Adelaide to book their place in the preliminary finals, one thing became apparent to their forthcoming rivals: target Lachie Neale at your own peril.

The Lions’ co-captain is no doubt one of the side’s key men - a Brownlow Medal winner and three-time All Australian.

Since he first donned Brisbane colours, teams have sought to nullify the 30-year-old’s impact through the middle of the field.

Just this season the Gold Coast employed the tactic, with Suns leader Touk Miller heavily tagging his opposite number - restricting him to just 17 disposals in the Lions’ Round 20 defeat.

That clash, however, came the week after rookie revelation Will Ashcroft’s season-ending injury, as coach Chris Fagan’s men sought to cover that loss and find a new balance through their midfield.

Teams have continued to try and peg Neale down, yet Brisbane have since been undefeated.

“I could have handled that day better for sure, but I find it pretty funny that teams or media say if you shut me down Brisbane are going to lose. I feel like I get attention most weeks,” Neale said.

“I’ve dealt with it for a long time now. You have those days where you’re a bit off, which I was against Gold Coast, but I feel like I’m ready for whatever teams throw at me.

“I’ve had games where I’ve been down, been tagged, and we’ve won by 10 goals, so I’m confident in whatever happens.”

What has seemingly changed lately is that whenever Neale has been shut down, the rest of the midfield have risen to the occasion.

It has created an even spread of responsibility in the team - perhaps best epitomised by the fact Charlie Cameron was the only Lion to earn All-Australian selection, despite finishing second on the ladder.

Take the 48-point win over the Power in the Qualifying Final. Neale was kept to just 19 disposals - only the third time this season he had been restricted to fewer than 20.

It was hardly a tactic that spearheaded a Port Adelaide boilover. Rather, it was an invitation for Lions vice-captain Hugh McCluggage and the rest of the midfield to orchestrate the carnage.

Despite briefly leaving the field following a knock, McCluggage was at the heart of Brisbane’s exploits - finishing with a goal, 26 disposals, nine clearances, four inside 50s and three goal assists.

Teenage whiz Jaspa Fletcher then turned in one of the finest performances of his fledgling career - his three goals and 16 disposals showcasing the composure he had gained throughout his maiden campaign.

Josh Dunkley also showed off his ability in the thick of the battle, his 10 contested possessions leading to 21 disposals and a pair of goal assists.

Adelaide attempted the same ploy on Neale in Round 22: his 23 disposals below average, and his three clearances his worst output of the campaign.

McCluggage again stood tall - finishing with 28 disposals, 15 contested possessions and eight clearances. Dayne Zorko proved a capable supporting act: 19 disposals, five clearances and two goal assists.

Neale’s battle with Fremantle’s Hayden Young the week before garnered him heavy criticism from Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley. However, in another Lions win, Jarrod Berry this time answered the call to arms: 28 disposals, three clearances and eight contested possessions.

Rewind to this time last year, when Neale was kept to just 20 disposals and six clearances in their Preliminary Final defeat to Geelong, while the likes of McCluggage, Zorko and Berry were kept even quieter.

Now, rather than one man attempting to respond to the challenge of Neale’s tagging, it unleashes a more threatening foe: the Lions’ collective.

Last week, AFL legend Leigh Matthews declared that while Neale would be a major player if the Lions were to win a first flag since 2003, anything short of a collective effort would bring about their downfall.

And McCluggage, who began the season on the wing and up front before shifting to the middle, believed he and his teammates had struck a balance between maximising their involvement once Neale was shut down, and capitalising on each touch.

“You never like to see when your best players get tagged and followed around,” McCluggage said.

“But when he’s able to do the things he did on Saturday night - block for teammates and not let it affect the way he’s working - it definitely helps for other players to get off the chain.

“But it doesn’t just happen if you sit back and accept defeat when he gets tagged. Nearly every week it would be tougher for us to have an impact; it’s as much his good work.

“Playing a little bit more inside you’re going to be around the contest a little bit more, and it means you’re going to have more possessions, but I still feel like as a wingman and forward earlier in the year I was letting myself down with a few parts of my game I considered non-negotiables.

“I think I have definitely improved on the basics of my game in the back half of the year.”