Reigning champions Brisbane will face Geelong in this weekend’s AFL grand final after dominating the Magpies in a decisive last term.
Dramatic Match at the MCG
The star midfielder emerges as a central figure in grand final week after Brisbane seized control in the closing stages on match day, posting a 15.10 (100) to 11.5 (71) win in front of a record crowd of over 96,000 supporters.
It represents the first-ever championship match between the Cats and the Lions.
Debate Mars Collingwood’s Loss
Despite the scoreline was ultimately convincing, Collingwood were left fuming by a controversial official ruling at a crucial stage in the closing minutes.
Just after Jamie Elliott was not awarded a free kick close to goal for a perceived obstruction, the Lions launched a devastating four-major burst that clinched the contest.
Fitness Questions for Grand Final
Brisbane now face a major call on whether to recall their star midfielder, who sustained a calf strain in their qualifying final loss to Geelong.
On-baller another key Lion was substituted during the game with a shoulder issue, likely ruling him out for the grand final.
Star midfielder a Lions engine-room star was outstanding with 37 possessions and 10 clearances, while rookie a rising forward booted a trio of goals in just his fifth appearance.
Standout Performances
The Magpies forward kicked a match-best a quartet of goals and took a breathtaking catch, while Nick Daicos additionally starred for the defeated team.
Collingwood experienced a significant blow early in the final term when defender a key tall was withdrawn due to a groin strain.
Contest Critical Junctures
After more than 10 minutes of back-and-forth play, the first goal of the last quarter proved critical.
When Magpies veteran Steele Sidebottom missed a straightforward shot, a Collingwood tall and a Lions defender jostled on the line, with the Magpies ruck-forward managing to flick through his second goal.
A protracted umpire review upheld the major, cutting the deficit to a manageable margin.
Magpies fans were then outraged when no penalty was paid to Elliott after opponent a Lions backman made front-on contact.
The Lions swept the ball down the other end, where a livewire forward kicked a crucial six-pointer, followed soon after by the young forward slotting his third.
Prior Flow Shifts
The Lions were on the ropes after the Magpies unleashed a goal-kicking rampage in the second term to take the advantage.
However the Lions fought back with a triple-strike in a short burst at the beginning of the third quarter.
The Magpies forward booted Collingwood’s lone goals of the second half, including a stunning catch over Starcevich.
The problem for Collingwood was that a Lions forward matched his counterpart at the opposite end, also adding two majors in the key period after a quiet first half.
The Lions booted seven majors to two in the third, with seventeen of the twenty majors to that point converted at the favored end.
First-Half Drama
Collingwood made a awful beginning when veteran their captain and oldest player exited the field within the initial minutes.
His 425th career game ended after just a short stint due to a calf strain.
After Magpies forward a key target kicked the opening major, Brisbane produced a goal-scoring tear and led by 21 points early in the second term.
However Collingwood regrouped in defence through captain Darcy Moore and Howe.
Brisbane stalwart an experienced midfielder made a few costly mistakes, the Nick and Josh Daicos went to work, and Magpies ruckman Darcy Cameron gave his side great first use.
As forward Lachie Schultz enjoyed a dominant period with his tackling, the game turned on its head.
The Magpies burst with a six-goal haul to three minors, taking a two-goal advantage into halftime.
The Lions had lost composure, conceding back-to-back 50-meter penalties to gift a Magpies forward his second major late in the quarter.
Compounding Brisbane’s woes in the second term, on-baller Berry experienced another setback to his left shoulder and was also withdrawn before halftime.
