Brisbane have confirmed they will challenge Lachie Neale’s one-match suspension at the tribunal.

The Lions champion was cited for a gut punch on Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan during their preliminary final in an incident that will cost him a grand final berth if the ban cannot be overturned.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Lachie Neale faces one-match ban for striking

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The incident occurred with just under five minutes remaining in the first quarter after a physical altercation between Eric Hipwood and Ginnivan.

The two traded blows after Hipwood laid a big tackle on Ginnivan, who was running off moments later when Neale ran up from behind to strike him in the gut.

Neale is widely expected to be leaving Brisbane for Collingwood as a free agent at the end of the season, meaning if he is to be suspended, he will have likely played his last game for the Lions.

The 33-year-old was cleaned up by Hawthorn midfielder Jai Newcombe in the opening seconds of the game but got back up and finished the match with 26 disposals.

Neale was in a race against time to be fit for last year’s grand final, having torn his calf in the Lions’ qualifying-final loss to Geelong.

Having initially been ruled out for the rest of the season, the two-time Brownlow medallist made a stunning recovery to return for the grand final victory over Geelong.

After starting as Brisbane’s sub and coming on at half time, Neale changed the game with a brilliant second half and memorable goal in the last quarter.