Kane Cornes wonders if Richmond coach Damien Hardwick is regretting his decision not to tag the former Brownlow Medallist.
“I’ve got a firm view, because I’ve been in this situation, that it’s really hard to tag someone when they’re on fire. When they have their tail up and momentum and they’re into the groove of the game, it’s really difficult to send someone to Neale at half-time when he’s had 21 and nine clearances already,” Cornes said.
“I think that call had to be made pre-game and Richmond were never going to tag him pre-game because that’s not what they do.
“I don’t agree that that’s the right decision because if you look at Lachie Neale’s performances when someone has gone to him and the effect on Brisbane – they don’t win unless he’s dominant, particularly with Jarryd Lyons not there.
“In Round 23, Melbourne put a lot of time into him, and the same thing last time they played Melbourne. St Kilda’s Marcus Windhager tagged him, the Lions won that game, but just.
“There was a game against the Bombers where he had low 20s and they lost. Take Neale out and Brisbane don’t win.
“At what point do you go ‘it’s not our preferred method, but I was surprised by the lack of attention they gave him’.”
https://www.sen.com.au/news/2022/09/01/i-havent-seen-that-before-the-aspect-of-dominant-neale-performance-that/