Brisbane defeated Collingwood by 29 points, 15.10 (100) to 11.5 (71), and thereby booked their third straight Grand Final appearance.

This was a convincing performance by the Lions, especially in the second half, shifting momentum and controlling the contest.

Early jolt: Collingwood loses Pendlebury

One of the steadiest presences in Collingwood’s engine room, Scott Pendlebury, was forced off due to a calf injury inside the opening minutes. That loss clearly undermined Collingwood’s structure and perhaps their confidence.

First quarter: Lions strike early

Brisbane jumped out of the blocks with three consecutive goals. Collingwood, reeling from the Pendlebury blow, struggled to establish their usual rhythm.

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Second quarter: Momentum shift to Collingwood

The Magpies responded emphatically. They slammed on six unanswered goals in Q2, while keeping Brisbane goalless in that term. At halftime, Collingwood led 7.1 (43) to 4.6 (30). It looked like the Magpies might take the game.

Third quarter: Lions reassert dominance

That Collingwood surge proved temporary. In Q3, Brisbane booted seven goals to Collingwood’s two, regaining control of the contest. At the three-quarter mark, the Lions had stretched their lead and seized momentum.

Fourth quarter: Brisbane seals it

Early in Q4, a controversial moment emerged: Collingwood’s Jamie Elliott was denied a free kick for alleged front-on contact near goal. Instead of recovering, Collingwood were punched again — Brisbane responded with a four-goal burst that decisively killed the game. After that, Collingwood never looked like regaining control.

Standout performances & stats

  • Hugh McCluggage was among Brisbane’s best, amassing 37 possessions and 10 clearances
  • Ty Gallop, in only his fifth senior game, kicked three goals
  • Jamie Elliott continued his finals reputation, booting four goals and taking a spectacular “speccy” mark over Brandon Starcevich, though the mark won’t be eligible for the Mark of the Year because it occurred in a final.
  • Collingwood’s Nick Daicos had strong glimpses of influence, especially in the first half.
  • On the disciplinary front, Dayne Zorko was fined $3,125 for pulling Mason Cox’s protective eyewear in the first quarter and was charged with “other misconduct.” This was the only charge from the match.

What went wrong — and right

Collingwood’s vulnerabilities exposed

  1. Midfield disruption: Losing Pendlebury so early left a vacuum. Collingwood couldn’t maintain control through the engine.
  2. Inconsistent delivery: Their second quarter was electrifying, but they couldn’t sustain that intensity across three quarters.
  3. Umpiring controversy: The non-call on Elliott in Q4 looms as a turning point.
  4. Overreliance on key contributors: Beyond Elliott and Daicos, support wasn’t strong enough in key moments.

Brisbane’s strengths

  1. Resilience & response: When Collingwood surged in Q2, Brisbane didn’t panic. They regrouped and flexed power in Q3 and Q4.
  2. Youth stepping up: Players like Gallop added spark; McCluggage led the charge in contested ball and clearances.
  3. Tactical execution: They dominated stoppages and transitions in the second half, and converted opportunities when they came.
  4. Discipline edge: While there was the Zorko–Cox incident, Brisbane otherwise kept control and limited Collingwood’s second-half run.
  • Brisbane’s third straight Grand Final: With this win, the Lions will face Geelong in the 2025 Grand Final.
  • Collingwood’s age dilemma: The result underscores that Collingwood’s veteran-laden side may be at a crossroad, with depth and durability increasingly tested.
  • Umpiring discussion revived: The controversial non-call (was it a free? probably not!) in Q4 will be remembered, and may add fuel to calls for greater clarity or consistency in umpiring big finals.
  • Brisbane’s momentum: The Lions head into the decider with confidence, their midfield and forward divisions peaking at a critical moment.

Overall, this wasn’t just a win for Brisbane — it was an emphatic statement. When Collingwood’s surge threatened to overwhelm, the Lions stood tall, swung momentum back, and delivered a clean finishing blow. For Collingwood, the window seems to be narrowing.