Nathan Buckley and Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch agreed on at least one thing on the weekend – Steele Sidebottom was the most valuable player on the ground.
Sidebottom polled the maximum ten votes from the coaches in voting for the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year.
It was a busy night for Sidebottom. He finished the night with 19 disposals, five tackles, two goals and a broken thumb.
While the fourth quarter injury would have soured the 24 year old’s night, he would no doubt be encouraged by his performance.
Especially when his run of good form against Brisbane stems back to 2014, when he had 24 and 31 disposals respectively against the Lions.
Surgery on his broken thumb awaits Sidebottom, as does a lengthy spell on the sidelines. However fans and coaches alike will be encouraged by the performances of several other Magpies.
The Magpies took early control of the highly anticipated clash and opened up a 35-point lead at three quarter time.
However a goalless final term allowed Brisbane to get within reach of a surprise victory.
"We basically dominated the game for the best part of three quarters and gave the opposition a sniff because we didn't finish a couple of chances," Nathan Buckley said in his post-match press conference.
While Collingwood’s dominance of the match failed to be reflected in the 12-point final margin, the coaches voting card largely resembles the Collingwood midfield.
Brodie Grundy polled four votes for his solo ruck performance against the intimidating Brisbane combination of Stefan Martin and Matthew Leuenberger.
Magpies captain and 2013 Coaches Association Player of the Year Scott Pendlebury claimed four votes for his 25 disposal game while Taylor Adams, Jarryd Blair and Alan Toovey also featured amongst the votes.
The match proved a breakout game for Adams as the 21-year-old recorded a career high 31 disposals.
After playing 12 games in his first season at the club last year, the midfielder has immediately set about securing a regular position in the Magpie midfield in 2015.
Adams will use his solid performance to help fill the void left by Sidebottom’s untimely injury when the side takes on Adelaide at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Round 1 – Brisbane v Collingwood
10 Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
4 Brodie Grundy (Collingwood)
4 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
4 Daniel Rich (Brisbane)
3 Josh Green (Brisbane)
2 Taylor Adams (Collingwood)
2 Jarryd Blair (Collingwood)
1 Alan Toovey (Collingwood)
Leaderboard at the end of Round 1, 2015
10 Nat Fyfe (Fremantle)
10 Tom McDonald (Melbourne)
10 Jeremy McGovern (West Coast)
10 Dylan Shiel (GWS)
10 Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
10 Taylor Walker (Adelaide)
8 Josh Gibson (Hawthorn)
8 Jordan Lewis (Hawthorn)
8 Luke Parker (Sydney)
7 Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide)
7 Taylor Hunt (Richmond)
7 Kieren Jack (Sydney)
Steele polls perfect 10
Steele Sidebottom polled the maximum ten votes from the coaches in voting for the AFL Coaches Association Champion Player of the Year.