Lachie Neale refuses questions in 17-second press conference ahead of bid to overturn AFL ban

Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale has fronted a 17-second press conference ahead of his bid to overturn the suspension set to sideline him for this week’s grand final.

The Lions landed at Melbourne Airport just after 3pm on Wednesday, three days before their bid to complete an AFL premiership threepeat against Fremantle at the MCG.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Lachie Neale appeals suspension to play grand final

But whether Neale takes his place in the side on Saturday remains unclear after the AFL tribunal in a marathon hearing on Tuesday night upheld the one-match ban he received for striking Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan in the preliminary final last weekend.

Earlier on Wednesday, Brisbane confirmed they would challenge the suspension at the appeals board in a last-ditch attempt to free Neale to play.

Media were invited to Melbourne Airport to hear from Neale and defender Dayne Zorko, but got no more than three sentences out of the two-time Brownlow medallist, who spoke for 17 seconds before walking off.

“Obviously as you guys would be aware, the club and myself have decided to appeal the tribunal’s decision,” Neale told reporters.

“(We’re) obviously very hopeful that that’s successful but, regardless of the result, I will be here to support the boys and the club this week.

The former captain was asked a question after his statement but chose to walk off and collect his luggage.

Should his one-match ban be upheld at the appeals board, Neale will have likely played his last game for the Lions, with a move to Collingwood next season a near-certainty.