Shannon Neale discusses anxiety ahead of AFL finals

Geelong Cats key forward Shannon Neale has spoken about his recent struggles with inner anxiety while preparing for the upcoming AFL finals campaign. Neale, 24, noted that the feelings surfaced around June during the team’s bye, driven by thoughts of the high expectations and the emotional weight of potentially returning to a grand final.

Neale reflected on the demoralizing defeat the Cats suffered to the Brisbane Lions in the 2025 grand final, describing the experience as a “blur” except for the difficult final moments when he felt helpless on the bench. To manage these feelings, Neale has relied on veteran teammates at Geelong to help him navigate the pressure. He stated that he has learned to “dive into that anxiety” to fuel his hunger and excitement for the remainder of the season.