Lachie Neale reckons he's in career-best form but the Brisbane ace is downplaying his prospects of winning a third Brownlow medal.
Neale enters the Lions' elimination final against Carlton on Saturday night in yet another purple-patch of his stellar career.
The co-captain collected a season-high 40 disposals in his last game, against Essendon, and has recently added another string to his bow by becoming a frequent goalkicker.
Neale has scored 10.2 in his past eight games after only three goals before that in the season.
The 31-year-old's 13 goals this season is his most since 2020 and nears his career-high of 16 majors in 2015 when at Fremantle.
"It has probably just evolved a little bit that way, even last year I probably had shots, I was just missing them," Neale said.
"I have just been able to make the most of my opportunities.
"I feel like my game is in good order, I'm reading the game a little bit better than maybe I was in the first half of the year and getting into better and more dangerous spots.
"It is probably more my finishing, to be honest, that has been a strength of mine this year."
Neale kicked 3.11 last season when he claimed the Brownlow for a second time after his 2020 win.
His increased scoring output has been noted by retired Lions great Simon Black.
"It's been great the way he's added that to his game ... he's getting in positions to make it happen," Black told AAP.
"It's really clever and great to watch and extra valuable, he is primed to have a massive month."
Neale believes Carlton captain Patrick Cripps, Collingwood's Nick Daicos and Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli will be vying for this year's Brownlow.
Neale, who earnt his fourth All Australian blazer this season, said his improved form mirrored that of his team - the Lions have won 10 of their past 12 games entering the finals.
"I feel like I have been building similar to the team for the back half of the year," he said.
"I didn't have much of a pre-season, didn't really do anything in the off-season after some surgery, so the first few games I was sort of finding my legs.
"My form has correlated with the team a little bit and I honestly feel like I am playing some of the best footy of my career.
"So I'm confident in what I can do and hopefully I can go out and deliver and play my role for the team.
"Whether that's a big game stats-wise, it doesn't matter ... it's about playing my role and I feel confident that I am able to do that with the way I am performing at the moment."
