Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan says Lachie Neale could make his return from injury before the club’s bye.
The 2020 Brownlow Medallist underwent ankle surgery after suffering a syndesmosis injury against Carlton, but Fagan revealed Neale could be fit to play as early as Brisbane’s Round 13 clash against ladder-leading Melbourne.
“Lachie (Neale) was running today and running well,” he said on Sportsday.
“He’s trying to get back for our game against Melbourne in three weeks’ time and then we have a bye, probably for me it’s more realistic that he comes back after the bye but he’s pretty determined to get back before then.
“He is going well, so it’s probably closer to six weeks than eight weeks that was the range we were given when he was first injured.”
Jarrod Berry is currently battling a groin injury, but the timeline on his return to AFL action isn’t as clear as Neale’s prognosis.
Fagan said the gun on-baller was back running, but said the club was still managing his training loads before being willing to be a definitive date for his return.
“Jarrod (Berry) is running better and pulling better from that,” he said.
“But I still couldn’t give you a timeline on that groin, it’s one of those things that we need to see how he pulls up each time.
“He’s been better in the last 10 days.”