Real reason Lachie Neale should be sitting out the AFL Grand Final – as the decider gets under way

Lachie Neale has won his fight to play in the grand final, but concussion expert Alan Pearce believes he should still be sidelined.

The neuroscientist has criticised the AFL’s concussion protocols, arguing they failed the Brisbane star and claiming the NRL would not have allowed him to play.

Neale suffered a heavy collision with Jai Newcombe during the preliminary final but passed an on-field head injury assessment.

Pearce’s criticism puts the handling of that incident under scrutiny as Neale prepares to face his former club Fremantle.

The Lions midfielder secured his place after the AFL Appeal Board overturned his one-match suspension on Thursday night, replacing it with a $10,000 fine and citing his previously suspension-free record.

The grand final arguments have started before the first bounce, with G Flip’s opening performance dividing viewers.

The Australian singer and drummer took to the MCG ahead of Kylie Minogue’s headline show, prompting a mixed response from footy fans watching at home.

‘Am I the only Australian who doesn’t rate G Flip?’ one viewer asked online.

Another delivered a blunt verdict: ‘G-flip is terrible definitely triple j crowd.’

But plenty of viewers were happy with the choice, with some discovering the musician for the first time.

‘Never heard of them, but damn they have a great voice,’ one wrote.

‘G Flip best person to kick off the Pre Game Entertainment,’ another posted.

One self-described ‘old timer’ admitted they were unfamiliar with G Flip’s music but thought the performance was ‘terrific’.

Hundreds of footy fans have had their grand final plans thrown into chaos, with thick fog at Melbourne Airport triggering flight delays and cancellations.

Supporters travelling from Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth have been caught in the disruption. Among the cancellations was a 10.55am service from Brisbane, leaving Lions fans scrambling for another way to reach the decider.

For those who booked match-day flights to dodge sky-high accommodation prices, the gamble has turned into a nightmare.

Airport officials say the disruptions are weather-related, with knock-on delays spreading across the country. Travellers are being urged to check their flight status before leaving home.

The first bounce was still hours away, but Dockers fans started working on Lachie Neale this morning in hectic scenes.

A new chant targeting the Brisbane star had pubs full of Fremantle supporters in full voice on Friday night, with footage spreading online ahead of the decider.

Subtle? Hardly. But the purple army clearly hopes to give Neale something extra to think about on footy’s biggest stage.

The tune might sound familiar to football fans, borrowing from a chant Australian supporters belted out during the World Cup.