Three Brisbane Lions players were named in the 2019 All Australian team, receiving their first blazer at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne earlier this evening.
Lachie Neale was named as a rover, Harris Andrews at full back and Charlie Cameron in the forward pocket.
Neale has been named in the All Australian squad four times in his career, but tonight he cracked the final 22-man team.
In his first season at the Lions, Neale has played all 22 games and averaged 31 disposals each match. Last week against Richmond he had 51 touches and is in the top three players across the league for centre clearances, total disposals and contested possessions.
“I think it’s probably my best season so far and still feel like I’ve got a lot more to work on though,” he said.
“It’s a pretty special moment but to be honest we’ve got some bigger things to come over the next few weeks.”
Andrews, at only 22 years of age and in his fifth season at the Lions, has become one of the league’s strongest key defenders and leads the competition in spoils.
“Very excited, honoured, to be regarded in such a high manner in the league,” Andrews said.
Raised in Queensland he played his junior football at the Aspley Hornets and only made his first representative team as a 17-year-old.
“I missed out on a few teams growing up and tried not to get too disheartened,” he said.
“I guess it’s about the importance of not giving up on what you want to achieve.”
Cameron is in his second season at the Lions and taken the competition by storm as one of the most exciting, dynamic players in the forward line.
After missing most of the 2018 season with a lisfranc injury, the 25-year-old played all 22 regular games for the Lions this year.
Cameron booted 54 goals this season, including a career-high six goals against Gold Coast in Round 21.
“I feel really proud to receive my first blazer alongside Harris and Lachie,” Cameron said.
“I love this team and can’t wait to see what could happen over the next couple of weeks.”
Andrews, Cameron and Neale will all play at The Gabba on Saturday 7 September against Richmond, when the Lions make their first AFL Finals Series appearance in a decade.
