Apologies for the following off topic response.
Neale had 21 disposals in that first final while Suban and De Boer had 10 each. But Neale was made the sub for the next 2 games as Lyon preferred older players.
Lyon chose Neale to be the new sub over both De Boer and Suban. Despite Neale having had a breakout season and averaging 25+ disposals
You mean a break out
Half season. The thing is neither Suban or DeBoer were that old then... they were both 23 years old, and Neale had only made it back into the team for the last 7 rounds of the season - the first time he had some game continuity in his 2nd season of football after missing half of that year with injury including playing for Swans Reserves mid season.
That 2013 QF game vs Geelong currently gets replayed about half a dozen times each summer on free to air tv, and i've watched it each time - and Suban's quality kicking in that game opened up the Geelong defence a handful of times - notably the long kick from wing across to the half forward flank that reached Barlow running into the forward 50 on his own. (Anyone who thinks Barlow never spent time playing half forward before 2015 should also tune into this game next time its on).
Suban was in good form up until he went off in the 3rd quarter of that Geelong game with a serious ankle injury. He was also subbed off with injury in the first quarter of the 2nd last home and away game of that season against Port Adelaide. As mentioned above - the last game of the season was the game vs St Kilda where we sent over young players. In the previous games leading up to the Port game Suban's disposals were 19,20,18,26,19. Critics like you too easily find it convenient to knock a player when his career is at its lowest ebb and say - he's always been shit.
With perfect hindsight Neale should have been picked because Hawthorn probably beat us by turning up the defensive side of their game - and another ball winner like Neale might have been a better option than a defensive type of midfielder. Would have been a close call - as DeBoer was subbed off in the prelim the previous week for Neale - not a clear cut call.
But again... when i've look at the grand final - a close game - in the end a 15pt margin - there's a play in Hawthorn's forward pocket in the last quarter where Luke Bruest was able to run through the contest at a boundary throw in and kick a goal which made the margin 24 points at about the 10m mark - the goal which pretty much killed the game off. You should probably look at the players around the stoppage who let him go by without laying a finger on him.