It all comes down to this.
20 years since they met in the 2003 Grand Final, Collingwood will once again take on Brisbane in the biggest game of the year.
Finishing first and second on the ladder respectively, the two teams have been the benchmark all season and won their way through to Saturday’s game after close Preliminary Final wins.
It will be the Pies’ 45th Grand Final and first since 2018.
The game will be broadcast live on the Seven Network with coverage running all day and the first bounce scheduled for 2.30pm AEDT.
Last time they met
Brisbane 124 d Collingwood 100
It was little more than a month ago when The Pies last took on the Lions, with Brisbane running out four-goal winners under the roof at Marvel Stadium. Scott Pendlebury and Tom Mitchell were both strong for the Pies that night with 31 disposals, while Jamie Elliott kicked three goals. Collingwood were missing some significant players for the Round 23 contest including the injured Nick Daicos, Darcy Moore and Jordan De Goey.
Grand Final and Norm Smith Medal history
The Pies are looking for their 16th V/AFL premiership and first since 2010. Saturday will be their 45th Grand Final, having won 15, drawn two and lost 27. Collingwood’s 10 Grand Finals since the Norm Smith Medal was introduced in 1979 has also seen three players receive the award. Tony Shaw was the first in the Club’s 1990 premiership, while Nathan Buckley was awarded the honour in a losing side in the 2002 Grand Final. Scott Pendlebury will be out for his second Norm Smith on Saturday after he won the medal in the 2010 replay.
Finals history against the Lions
The 2003 Grand Final is not only the last time the Pies and Lions played in a decider, but in a final of any kind too. All three Collingwood-Brisbane finals clashes came between 2002-03, with the Lions also toppling the Pies in the ’02 GF, however the 2003 Qualifying Final went the Magpies’ way with a 15-point victory. There is a more favourable record against the Lions before Fitzroy merged with Brisbane however, with the Pies getting up in the 1903 and 1917 Grand Finals.
Team news
Tall Billy Frampton will make his finals debut in Saturday’s decider after being brought into the side following Dan McStay’s knee injury. Jack Ginnivan also comes into the starting 22 after playing as sub for the first two finals. He replaces Pat Lipinski who will be this week’s sub. Taylor Adams was ruled out earlier in the week after injuring his hamstring in the week before the Preliminary Final.
Key matchups
Nick Daicos v Lachie Neale
The 20-year-old gun and the two-time Brownlow Medallist. The pair have been in the news all week after Daicos led the Brownlow Medal count at the point of his late season injury, before Neale took over to claim the honour. Both are perineal ball-winners and have led their sides in disposals this season, setting up many forward entries. While they won’t always be directly matched up on each other, the pair will have a significant impact on the outcome of Saturday’s game.
Isaac Quaynor v Charlie Cameron
Quaynor has become one of the premier lockdown defenders in the game and Cameron the ever-reliable small forward for the Lions. Cameron has kicked 56 goals so far for the season and was named as an All-Australian, making him a major reason for the Lions’ charge to the decider. Quaynor’s finals series especially has been monumental, standing up in defence in the tense final moments of both of the Pies’ games.
Darcy Moore v Joe Daniher
The Pies skipper has stopped all that has been put in his past in 2023 and will contend with Brisbane tall Daniher in a monumental contest on Saturday. The Brisbane left footer has averaged over two goals a game this season and ranks elite for disposals as a key forward, but it has been Moore’s intercept game that has set him apart. Moore equalled the record for intercept marks in a game in 2023 and had displayed his fearless game style all season long as he looks to lead Collingwood to their first premiership in 13 years.
Fan activities
There are plenty of activities for all Collingwood fans to enjoy on Grand Final Day:
10:00AM: Activations Open
11:55AM: Pre-game Pep Talk
12.00PM: March to the ‘G starts
12.20PM: Arrival at Gate 1 MCG
2:30PM: First bounce of the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final
