Neale's dad 'worried for him' if ban keeps him from playing grand final - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Robbie Neale (left) says he is worried about his son missing the grand final. (Getty Images: Michael Willson/AFL Photos)

Lachie Neale's father says the family is "worried" about the star Lion missing the AFL grand final at the end of a tumultuous year.

Robbie Neale said the tribunal's decision to ban Lachie for striking was "just plain wrong".

The Lions are appealing the decision in a bid to have their former captain available to face Fremantle at the MCG on Saturday.

Lachie Neale's father says the family is "worried" about the star Lion missing the AFL grand final at the end of a tumultuous year.

Neale copped a one-game suspension for striking Jack Ginnivan during the Lions' stunning preliminary final victory at the MCG on Saturday night, but the club has confirmed it will appeal against the decision.

Before the appeal was revealed, Robbie Neale told ABC Radio Adelaide in the lead-up to Saturday's decider against Fremantle that he felt the suspension was "just plain wrong".

"[He's played] 320 games, never been suspended," he said.

"I just think to miss the grand final for this, it just … I've followed footy for a long time [and] it just doesn't add up to me."

Before the appeal was confirmed, Robbie said Lachie would have been torn on whether to appeal and prolong the process in grand final week.

"Lachie won't want the distraction for the team," he said.

Neale was also the centre of attention leading up to last year's grand final win over Geelong as he raced the clock to recover from a calf injury.

Neale was under an injury cloud heading into last year's decider. (Getty Images: Matt Roberts)

He ultimately played only the second half, kicking a crucial long-range goal in the third quarter.

"This one [the suspension], we're worried for him, because I know this means everything to him to play in this grand final," Robbie said.

"Easy to say that he's already played in a few, but they've got a chance to create history here."

The two-time Brownlow medallist has been in the headlines a lot this year, including giving up the captaincy before the season following a widely publicised marriage breakdown.

He was permitted to leave the team at the end of the season and went into Collingwood for a medical ahead of a reported move to the Magpies next year.

"The last thing Lachie wanted this week was another headline. It's just so disappointing," Robbie Neale said.

Robbie Neale said there had been "fabricated garbage" around his son, particularly regarding the Collingwood visit during the season.

"He does even amaze me in terms of how he's been able to compartmentalise and just focus on his job and play footy," he said.