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Brownlow brother hope keeps Alex Neale watching

Wimmera health Care Group executive assistant Alex Neale is going to be a little bit more apprehensive than the rest of us when the AFL Brownlow Medal count starts on Sunday night.

Her brother Lachie is the red hot favourite to take out the most coveted of football prizes.

Lachie switched from his original club Fremantle after the 2018 season and as a Lion debutante, finished third in the Brownlow last year behind former team mate Nat Fyfe and Geelong champion Patrick Dangerfield.

The stocky rover has enjoyed an outstanding season this year and has won all awards leading up to the Brownlow, including the AFL coaches award and All Australian rover. He is an unbackable odds-on favourite at $1.25 and his nearest rival Port Adelaide’s Travis Boak is a vague 8-1 chance.



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Alex said Lachie hadn’t said much about his medal chances.

“His focus has really been on his preparation for Saturday’s game against Geelong and his ultimate goal of winning a premiership with his team mates,” Alex said.

Alex said Lachie’s improvement in 2020 came from having a focus on aspects of his game that he wasn’t happy with.

“He’s always worked hard to make it at the top level,” she said.

“Before he was drafted he was told he would never make the AFL because he was too short so to get where he is now is an amazing achievement and real reward for his efforts.

“It would be great if he was to win the Brownlow the year after Nat (Fyfe) because they were good mates when Lachie was at Fremantle.”

Alex said she was feeling anxious about the weekend.

“I’m nervous for Lachie but the Brownlow is out of his control now,” she said.

“I’m more nervous for Saturday’s game because the players have control of that outcome.

“I will definitely be barracking hard in front of the telly for both nights though.”

– Pater Miller