Collingwood have flown north and will take on Brisbane in Round Three on Thursday evening.
The Thursday night clash at The Gabba marks the Pies second interstate encounter of the season, following the Opening Round trip to Sydney where they faced the GWS GIANTS.
Last time they met
Not many football fans will forget the last time the Magpies and Lions came face-to- face – the 2023 AFL Grand Final at the MCG.
In a clash for the ages, Collingwood ran out four-point winners, thanks to fourth quarter brilliance from the likes of Scott Pendlebury, Jordan De Goey, Nick Daicos and Steele Sidebottom, and a career best overall performance from eventual Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill.
A clash that was full of intensity and big moments, Nick Daicos opened the game with a clinical set shot, Bobby Hill flew high, and Jack Crisp and Brody Mihocek kicked crucial goals from tight angles, while Brisbane’s Zac Bailey and Charlie Cameron stood up in big moments for the Lions.
Ins and Outs
John Noble and Will Hoskin-Elliott both return to Craig McRae’s side for the clash at The Gabba, with Steele Sidebottom (managed) and Oleg Markov (omitted) the two players to make way.
John Noble returns to the side after a 27-disposal performance in Collingwood’s VFL Round One victory against Sandringham last Friday night.
Hoskin-Elliott returns after being managed and missing last week’s clash against St Kilda.
Key players to watch
After a strong performance in the VFL last week, John Noble will be a Magpie to keep close tabs on when he lines up against the Lions.
Following three goals each in last week’s clash against the Saints, both Jamie Elliott and Reef McInnes will be looking to add to spearhead the Magpies forward line at the GABBA.
Elliott is Collingwood’s equal leader when it comes to majors so far in 2024, having booted two in Round One alongside his three last week. Bobby Hill is the other Pie to have also kicked five goals from the first three games.
Tom Mitchell will be another to keep an eye on, as he reaches his 200th AFL game.
200 games of ‘Titch’
The clash will also mark Tom Mitchell's 200th game at AFL level. After crossing to the Pies from Hawthorn at the end of 2022, Mitchell has played 28 games in the black and white, averaging 24.1 disposals and 5.9 tackles.
Originally selected by Sydney at Pick 21 of the 2011 National Draft as a Father-Son selection, Mitchell played 65 games for the Swans and 106 games for Hawthorn, including a stellar 2018 season that saw him crowned with the Brownlow Medal as the League's Best and Fairest player.
Across his 199 games thus far, the inside midfielder has had 5718 disposals, including 2396 contested possessions. ‘Titch’ has he’s known by his teammates, has also laid 1121 tackles and kicked 84 goals.
Take in the action
The match will be broadcast live Channel Seven, Fox Footy and kayosports.com.au. For local broadcast information, visit the AFL website.
The Magpie Army can stay connected with the team via the Official Collingwood website and social media channels. Visit collingwoodfc.com.au, @collingwood_fc on Instagram and threads, @collingwoodfc on X (formerly Twitter), Collingwood Football Club on Facebook and YouTube for a range of behind-the-scenes content, the latest news and more.
Thursday, March 28
Collingwood V Brisbane
Gabba, Brisbane, Yuggera-Turrbal
6:30pm (AEST)/7:30pm (AEDT)
