BROWNLOW medallist Lachie Neale will be put under the knife on Monday to repair an ankle injury sustained in Saturday's win over Carlton.
Neale limped off during the first quarter after clutching his right ankle in a tackle before playing out the game with 24 disposals from more than 80 per cent game time.
It was part of a rough afternoon for the 27-year-old, who also came from the ground with a blood rule. While alerting the umpire of the knock to his head, Neale made contact with the officiating umpire and was handed a $1500 fine on Sunday evening by the Match Review Officer.
The club believes Neale could be sidelined for up to eight weeks following the surgery.
The Lions play Port Adelaide, Fremantle, Gold Coast and Richmond over the next month, while the rehabilitation from the ankle setback is also expected to give Neale further time to assist an ongoing back injury he's carried through the first six weeks of the season.
Brisbane football manager Danny Daly said Neale's efforts in playing out the game after suffering the injury was inspiring.
"What Lachie did on the weekend for our football club was huge,'' he said.
"That was an important game, we had already been forced to make an injury substitution and he stayed out there and battled on under duress and played a huge part in helping us get the win."
