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AAP
AAP
Sport
Oliver Caffrey

Lions star Neale sets sights on AFL flag

Falling one win shy of a grand final appearance will spur on Lachie Neale and the Lions in 2023. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Lachie Neale says Brisbane's time is now with the star midfielder believing the Lions can end their 20-year AFL premiership drought next season.

After four-straight years playing finals, the Lions are still searching for their first appearance in a grand final since 2004.

The Lions secured memorable wins over Richmond and Melbourne this September but were badly beaten by eventual premiers Geelong in the preliminary final.

Since that 71-point defeat, Western Bulldogs gun Josh Dunkley and Hawthorn premiership forward Jack Gunston have arrived in the Queensland capital.

The Lions will soon secure exciting father-son prospect Dunkley, who has been rated by many experts as the best player in this year's draft.

Neale is excited by what those additions can bring to an already talented group in the premiership window.

"(A premiership) is what we're all gunning for and I feel like we're very well set up at the moment to attack that as best we can and that's what we're aiming for next year," the three-time All-Australian told SEN Queensland.

"We probably feel like our time is now and over the next few years we really want to capitalise.

"I wouldn't be the first one to say that next year we should be gunning for a premiership and that's what our main goal will be."

Neale fell just one vote short of winning his second Brownlow Medal this year after a stunning return to form following a disappointing 2021 season.

The 29-year-old backed up his tremendous form with a finals performance for the ages in the thrilling elimination final win against the Tigers.

"I found out pretty quickly in 2021 after a pretty interrupted off-season and pre-season injury wise that these months are crucial," Neale said.

"Just trying to keep the level I was at in terms of my fitness base and try to get a little bit stronger through my shoulders and core.

"I've had a few issues with my shoulders in recent years, so trying to get those right and ready to go for pre-season."

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