AFL great Garry Lyon has declared he has "no sympathy" for Lachie Neale if the Brisbane Lions midfielder misses an AFL grand final after being banned for punching.
Lyon, widely regarded as one of the game's most respected voices, made his position clear on the matter, showing little patience for the star player's situation should the suspension ultimately rule him out of the season's biggest game.
Neale faces the prospect of sitting out a grand final appearance — one of football's greatest occasions — as a direct consequence of the punching incident that triggered his ban.
Lyon's blunt assessment reflects a broader view that players must be accountable for on-field misconduct, regardless of the stakes involved or the timing of any resulting suspension.
