Brisbane Lions midfielder Lachie Neale was bruised, scratched and poked in the eye in the first quarter of Sunday's match against Port Adelaide.

There were no visible symptoms at the time and Neale was criticised by former Hawthorn star turned commentator Dermott Brereton for asking to see the club doctor.

Brereton said AFL was a "man's game" and criticised Neale for seeking medical attention after he experienced blurred vision.

"He's a senior player. I'd like the blokes to say, ‘Hey I'm paying league football. It's a man's game. It's hard, it's tough. I've got to stand up and take this,’" Brereton said during the game.

Neale has taken a jovial approach in hitting back at Brereton's comments via Instagram on Wednesday, posting a selfie with text: "Sorry @dermottbrereton for getting my eye check Q1" followed by a wink-face emoji.