Lachie Neale is set this week to complete the best first 100 games in Brisbane history.

Statistically, it’s no argument. At 99 games Neale has had 2856 possessions and polled 93 Brownlow Medal votes, plus any votes he might poll to this point in 2023.

His vote tally is a massive leader. Next best is Tom Rockliff’s 51 votes and Simon Black’s 50. Michael Voss had 43 votes at 100 games, Adrian Fletcher 36 and Jonathan Brown and Matthew Clarke 30.

And Neale, who will play his 100^th game in Brisbane colours against Richmond at the Gabba on Thursday night, will be well clear of Rockliff’s 2648 possessions, which is currently the most by a 100-gamer from Fletcher (2386), Black (2184), Jack Redden (2121) and Pearce Hanley (2109).

While the Neale numbers are inflated given he was 25 and had played 135 games at Fremantle before heading to Brisbane in 2019, they are undeniable in their quality.

Fletcher, who played 45 games at Geelong and St.Kilda before joining Brisbane, is next best among the 13 other ‘imports’ to play 100 games for the club. Queenslander Scott McIvor, a 55-gamer at Fitzroy before returning ‘home’ in year two of the Bears, had 2017 and is the only other ‘import’ beyond 2000.

While Josh Dunkley, who has quickly become such an important player for Brisbane, is shaping as the best recruit in the AFL this year, Neale is undeniably the best recruit of the past five years.

While Gold Coast pair Tom Lynch (85 games) and Steven May (82 games) have won premierships at Richmond and Melbourne respectively, Neale’s medal votes, which saw him win the League’s highest individual honour in 2020, finish second by one vote in 2022 and equal second in 2019, are extraordinary. Lynch has poled 17 votes and May five votes (plus 2023 votes).

Ironically, the only player in the League who has played more games than Neale since 2019 after switching clubs is long-time close friend and teammate Lincoln McCarthy. He’s played 104.

And clear second for votes since 2019 by a recruit (and third for games) is Brisbane 92-gamer Jarryd Lyons at 52 votes. West Coast’s Tim Kelly is next with 24 votes from Brisbane delistee Ben Keays, who has polled 23 votes after being picked up by Adelaide. Votes for 2023 are still to be added.

Along the way, Neale has also posted a club record for most possessions in a game – 51 against Richmond at the MCG in Round 23 2019. This is the fifth-highest in all-time AFL history.

He has posted a Brisbane record for most possessions in a season – aggregate and average. His 742 possessions in 2019 at 30.92 possessions per game is a club best on average. And his 749 possessions in 2022 (average 29.96) is the best overall.

He is the only player in Brisbane history to have 700 possessions in a season, and also has had 43 games of 30-possessions or more, including six at 40+ and his ‘half century’ – which earned him three medal votes in a 27-point loss.

And his 31 votes to win the Brownlow in 2020 is a club record – despite the fact that votes were only awarded in 17 home-and-away games due to Covid. Plus, his 28 votes last year and his 26 votes in 2019 are the next best season totals in club history ahead of Black’s 25 votes in 2002.

With nine Brisbane finals inside his first 100 games for the club Neale ranks equal ninth behind Jonathan Brown (15), Mal Michael and Martin Pike (13), Tim Notting (12), Black and Robert Copeland (11) and Luke Power (10).

But in the list of grand finals and premierships for 100-gamers and see he has a  zero. And he’ll look enviously at the grand final column numbers and see Brown, Michael, Pike (4), Copeland (3), Black, Power, Clark Keating, Brad Scott, Notting (2), Johnson, Bradshaw, Charman and McGrath (1).

And in the premiership columns he’ll see Brown, Michael, Pike (3), Black, Power, Keating, Copeland, Notting and Brad Scott (2) and Johnson, Bradshaw, Charman and McGrath (1).

And that will be his only focus in the next three months.

STATS LEADERS AT 100 GAMES

Possessions: Tom Rockliff (2648), Adrian Fletcher (2386), Simon Black (2184), Jack Redden (2121), Pearce Hanley (2109).

Goals: Daniel Bradshaw (208), Charlie Cameron (207), Brad Hardie (192), Alastair Lynch (191), Eric Hipwood (151).

Brownlow Medal Votes: Tom Rockliff (51), Simon Black (50), Michael Voss (43), Adrian Fletcher (36), Matthew Clarke (30), Jonathan Brown (30).

Most Finals: Jonathan Brown (15), Mal Michael, Martin Pike (13), Tim Notting (12), Simon Black (11), Robert Copeland (11), Luke Power (10), Lachie Neale (9), Chris Johnson (9), Lincoln McCarthy (9), Clark Keating (9), Zac Bailey (9).

Most Grand Finals: Jonathan Brown, Mal Michael, Martin Pike (4), Robert Copeland (3), Simon Black, Luke Power, Clark Keating, Brad Scott, Tim Notting, Chris Johnson, Daniel Bradshaw, Jamie Charman, Ash McGrath (1).

Most Premierships: Jonathan Brown, Mal Michael, Martin Pike (3), Simon Black, Luke Power, Clark Keating, Robert Copeland, Tim Notting, Brad Scott (2), Chris Johnson, Daniel Bradshaw, Jamie Charman, Ash McGrath (1).

Youngest 100-Gamer (Years/Days): Nigel Lappin (22/55), Michael Voss (22/286), Marcus Ashcroft (22/308), Jason Akermanis (23/44), Justin Sherman (23/74).

Oldest 100-Gamer: Roger Merrett (33/13), Martin Pike (32/146), Alastair Lynch (32/20).

Most Wins: Simon Black (77), Jonathan Brown (75), Mal Michael (73), Martin Pike (72), Tim Notting (71).

Least Wins: Lewis Taylor (21), John Gastev (22), Stefan Martin (23), Roger Merrett (24), Brad Hardie (25).

Least Games Missed: Jack Redden (0), Lincoln McCarthy (2), Eric Hipwood (3), Hugh McCluggage (3), Lewis Taylor (3), Dayne Zorko (3).

Most Games Missed: Clark Keating (84), Matthew Leuenberger (74), Jared Brennan (59), Daniel Bradshaw (59), Jamie Charman (56).