Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale is renowned as one of the best professionals in the AFL.
Standing at 178cm and 84kg, Neale has had to work on different aspects of his game to set him apart in a sea of giant midfield competitors like Patrick Cripps (195cm, 93kg), Marcus Bontempelli (194cm, 96kg), Tom Green (192cm, 92kg) and Scott Pendlebury (191cm, 86kg).
Given his stature, Neale has had to create a point of difference throughout his career and he believes his advantage comes from being clean with ball in hand in tight spaces.
Neale believes that his cleanliness buys him time that other players may have through their hulking frames or explosive pace, assets he knows he doesn't possess.
“Well, I think for myself because of my height, or lack of really, I feel like for me being clean is my absolute one wood,” Neale told SEN Breakfast.
“That buys me more time than some other people around me because I feel like if I’m clean with a footy, I don’t have to have that explosive pace or the biggest engine going around or the strongest frame.
“Being clean with the footy is my number one tip to any kid really, especially if they’re a smaller type like me and not the fastest bloke going around.
“That’s sort of my point of difference and it’s something that I knew coming into the AFL I had to nail and for the last 12 years I've worked on it every day.
“Being clean with the footy is the number one thing and always will be for me.”
To try and make sure his touch remains in top order, Neale revealed the daily routine that allows him to make sure he gets the most out of his biggest strength.
“Every day I’d do at least probably 20 to 30 ground balls, even that’s when we’re not training,” Neale said.
“Today (on a non-training day) I’ll go into the club and do some (ground balls) and then pump out probably 1000 touches as well at our new facility.
“I’ll go and do some touch with Cam Bruce and some of the other mids and probably get 1000 touches of the footy today and today's not a main session.
“So, I’ll do more tomorrow (when training is on), but that’s what I’ll do today.”
Neale is in fine form after collecting the Marcus Ashcroft Medal for best afield against Gold Coast in Round 10 with 35 disposals and 10 clearances.
He’ll hope to carry that form into the Lions’ Round 11 clash against the Crows at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon.