With his grand final ban overturned and his new girlfriend at his side, Lachie Neale had a lot to smile about on Friday morning.

The Brisbane Lions midfielder was spotted on a loved-up date with new partner Emma Field in Melbourne, less than one day before his team will take on the Dockers in the blockbuster.

Dressed in all-white outfits, the AFL star and his girlfriend were captured enjoying a meal in the al fresco area of a cafe.

The duo were seen happily chatting at the table as Neale devoured a burger.

As the pair were caught making their way back to the hotel where Neale’s teammates are staying, he couldn’t resist planting a peck on his lover’s forehead as they walked side-by-side down the street.

The dual Brownlow medallist made sure to keep the grand final hype going despite his romantic side quest — taking time to stop and sign autographs for some of the Lions fans that have descended on the Victorian capital.

Rumours of a relationship between Neale and Field first swirled in early August when the star midfielder was spotted with the 29-year-old at Brisbane Airport.

Their relationship was officially confirmed just three weeks later — when camera crews caught the former All Australian embracing and kissing Field after a massive 63-point victory over Collingwood.

The relationship came just eight months after the public breakdown of his marriage with WA-based hairdresser and influencer Jules Neale.

All eyes will be on Lachie Neale this weekend as Brisbane prepare to vie for their third premiership in a row.

The star narrowly secured his place in the highly anticipated match after a last-ditch appeal to the AFL Tribunal on Thursday.

Neale was initially rubbed out of the decider after the tribunal upheld his one-match ban for striking Hawthorn’s Jack Ginnivan in last weekend’s preliminary final.

After the Lions launched a second appeal, his penalty was later reduced to a $10,000 fine and he was permitted to play in the match.