CHRIS Fagan has conceded Saturday's Grand Final could be his last match in charge of Brisbane, saying he'll consider his future at season's end.

The two-time premiership coach is contracted until the end of 2027, but says it's customary for him to chat to Lions hierarchy after the dust on his team's season has settled.

"Every year for the past two or three years I've chatted to our CEO (Sam Graham) and president (Andrew Wellington) about when's the right time for me to finish up," Fagan said at Friday morning's traditional Grand Final coach and captain press conference.

"This is my 10th year, so I've been going for a while.

"I'll get through this game and probably have the usual chat I've had every other year and see what happens.

"I honestly don't know right at this point in time whether I'll keep going or not, but I was like that last year and the year before.

Alex Pearce, Justin Longmuir, Chris Fagan and Harris Andrews speak to the media during the Grand Final parade on September 25, 2026. Picture: Getty Images

"I've just got to work out the right time to go

"It's not the big issue. We've got to play a game tomorrow."

While Fagan says his future isn't the big issue, one he and the Lions have been dealing with this week is the availability of dual Brownlow Medal winner Lachie Neale.

After initially failing to have his one-match suspension overturned at the Tribunal, Neale was sensationally cleared to play at an Appeals Board hearing on Thursday night.

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Fagan conceded he thought he'd be without his champion midfielder, saying Brisbane was "pretty much ready for him not to play".

"It was good news. I didn't think he would (get off).

"It's a bit like last year. We didn't know he was going to play last year until the day before the game when he got through a fitness test.

"It was history repeating itself, just in a different way.

"It was a good thing. Good for Lachie and good for footy, I reckon."

Lachie Neale is seen during the Grand Final parade on September 25, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was prepared for Neale to be cleared, saying he was "cynical" about these things.

"Sometimes I feel like that's the outcome that gets reached, a little bit later than I thought … we've prepared for their best team," he said.

Neale's inclusion meant Noah Answerth was Brisbane's hard-luck story after overcoming an ankle injury he suffered in the qualifying final loss to Sydney.

"Coaches aren't supposed to have favourite players, but he's one of mine," Fagan said.

"If Lachie hadn't played, Noah would have come into the team, and Jaspa Fletcher would have pushed up onto a wing.

"That's how close it was, but we just decided to go with the group that's been playing the last couple of weeks. They've got the match fitness behind them."