“Disrespected”: The grudge Lachie Neale has always held

Lachie Neale has always held onto a grudge to help keep himself motivated.

The Brisbane Lions champion chalks up 300 games against Melbourne this weekend and puts part of his durability down to his mental strength.

That strength of mind was set in motion when Neale slipped to Fremantle with Pick 58 in the 2011 draft.

The boy from Kybybolite in country South Australia had been interviewed by the Adelaide Crows but they opted against drafting him, perhaps due to his size… or lack thereof.

But he was never even considered by Port Adelaide and given he was a mad Power fan as a kid that has always spurred him on.

He was asked on SEN's Fireball with Kane Cornes and David King if he has ever held a grudge after slipping in his draft year.

“I don’t know who the recruiters were at Port Adelaide but they didn’t want me,” Neale said.

“A little bit (of a grudge). I was a Port fan growing up, I idolised you (Kane Cornes) and Chad and Gavin Wanganeen, Josh Carr, all the Port players, I loved them.

“I thought being an SA boy that they would interview me at least but that wasn’t the case.

“The Crows interviewed me, so I’ll go a little bit easier on the Crows. And we’ve got them next week so I’ll pump them up.

“I suppose I have (held that grudge). I think that’s the reason why I have been able to get to 300 games, I try and find little things to motivate me each week.

“That’s one that comes pretty easy to the mind against Port Adelaide. But I’m always looking at different things against different opponents to stay motivated and get going each week.

“That’s part of the reason why I’ve been able to play a lot of footy, that motivation level is still really high and I’m still really driven to be the best I can be.

“I felt a little bit disrespected in my draft year. I thought I had a pretty good year that year. My size and my speed wasn’t the athletic profile that recruiters were probably looking for.

“I think that’s the reason.”

The two-time Brownlow Medallist and two-time premiership Lion is in his 15th season at AFL level.

At the age of 32, turning 33 next month, the end is nearer than the start for Neale.

But he is confident he can get multiple seasons out of his body and play into his late 30s.

“I don’t really feel like my body is slowing down at all,” Neale replied.

“So as long as that’s the case, and mentally I feel fresh and want to be the best I can be and have that competitive edge, I don’t want to put a limit on it.

“I feel like I could easily play for three or four more seasons at a high level.

“You’re seeing around the competition that guys are playing for longer, there’s a lot more sports science around recovery and I think in general younger people are living a lot healthier.

“There’s no reason I can’t play for three or four more years.”

Neale is out of contract at the end of this season and there has been some conjecture about his future, but he will continue to have a significant contribution in 2026 as the Lions chase a three-peat of flags.

His 165th appearance in Brisbane colours ticks over a triple ton of career games, making him the ninth current player to reach that mark after Geelong’s Mark Blicavs becomes the eighth on Friday night.

The Lions meet the Demons at the MCG on Sunday from 3:15pm AEST.