Dedication paying off

BRISBANE Lions coach Chris Fagan has lauded Lachie Neale’s training habits, saying his dedication to the game has fuelled his rise to the top.

Neale took out an extraordinary triple treat on Thursday night, winning the AFL Coaches’ Association award, All-Australian selection and the AFL Players’ Association MVP.

Neale won the Coaches’ award on 93 votes ahead of Melbourne’s Christian Petracca (78) and Port Adelaide’s Travis Boak (77).

At 177cm, Neale doesn’t have the same size as some of the game’s other star ballwinners such as Scott Pendlebury, Nat Fyfe and Marcus Bontempelli. But Fagan said it was Neale’s drive and professionalism that helped set him apart.

“Lachie is relentless in his efforts to improve, he wants to be the best player he can be and he wants success for our club,’’ Fagan said.

“That drive sets a standard for everyone at the Lions.

“His preparation is first class, he works incredibly hard on the fundamentals of the game and his appetite to learn is insatiable.

“As a coach you can’t ask for any more than that.’’

Neale said the coaches’ player of the year award was a huge honour.

“I’m thrilled to receive this award. The coaches are the greatest minds in the game and to receive this type of recognition from them is very humbling and something I’m proud of,’’ Neale said.

AFL Coaches’ Association CEO Mark Brayshaw said: “What a credit to Lachie that his sensational 2020 performances have seen him crowned the coaches best,”