- Lachie Neale and Abbey Holmes share kiss after AFL final
- Pair sparked controversy earlier this year after a similar act
- Brisbane Lions roared to victory in the grand final on Saturday
Abbey Holmes and Lachie Neale have sent a clear message to their opponents by sharing another polite kiss in the aftermath of Brisbane’s AFL grand final win.
The Brisbane Lions bounced back in stunning fashion from heartbreak in last year’s grand final, topping Sydney by 60 points to claim their first AFL premiership in more than two decades.
Lachie Neale (33 disposals) and Norm Smith medalist Will Ashcroft (30) starred in Saturday’s 18.12 (120) to 9.6 (60) victory at the MCG, completing the Lions’ long climb to the summit under Chris Fagan was completed.
After the final siren, Holmes interviewed Neale and the pair shared a quick kiss on the cheek, as they had done earlier in the year.
The AFL commentator had previously come under fire for a kiss on the cheek she shared with Neale following an on-field interview in Round 13.
The pair, friends off the field, sparked a debate over whether the kiss was appropriate, with some commentators claiming it crossed a line.
Holmes, a former AFLW player, responded by describing the reaction as “really disturbing”.
“Jules Neale… messaged me this morning saying, ‘I hope you’re doing well, this is ridiculous,'” Holmes said at the time.
Lachie Neale and Abbey Holmes shared a polite kiss on the cheek after the AFL final
This quick kiss between friends sparked controversy earlier this season
Footy fans saw the big final kiss as a strong message for those outraged by the original act.
“I love that Lachie Neale kissed Abbey Holmes with even more enthusiasm than last time. Normalize friends who show platonic affection,” said one fan.
Neale was thrilled with Saturday’s result.
“I can’t put it into words, I fucking love this group,” he told Holmes.
“After everything we went through last year and then the beginning of this year. No words can describe how proud I am and how much I love this football club. It’s incredible.’
Holmes is a former AFLW player and respected AFL commentator
The Brisbane Lions have made a stunning recovery from heartbreak in last year’s grand final, topping Sydney by 60 points to claim their first AFL premiership in more than two decades.
It’s been a year of setbacks following Brisbane’s four-point defeat to Collingwood in last season’s decider, with the Lions losing five players to long-term knee injuries in early 2024.
The club also had to deal with a scandal from Las Vegas last October, which threatened to leave the playing group in tatters.
In April, it was reported that a disagreement emerged between Lions teammates over what happened in Sin City – and some players had “tough conversations” with each other as a result.
After a slow start to their campaign, Brisbane faltered at several stages – falling to 2-5 and 4-6-1 – before a nine-match winning streak put them back in contention for the premiership.