
That was a preliminary final that lived up to expectations. But once Brisbane got the game on their own terms they were simply too good for Collingwood. The Magpies might rue a contentious non-call for a free to Jamie Elliott in the dying stages but the longer-lasting concern will be their inability to match the Lions’ midfield.
Thanks for following along – hope to have you back next week as Geelong and Brisbane meet in a grand final for the first time.
Full-time: Collingwood 11.5.71 - Brisbane 15.10.100
Brisbane will face Geelong in the 2025 AFL grand final after a 29-point victory over Collingwood at the MCG. The Lions were challenged in the second term as the Magpies booted seven goals to none, but the reigning premiers rediscovered their strength at stoppages and had too many options in attack.
After defeating the side that broke their hearts in the decider two years ago, the Lions are now into a third consecutive grand final for what looms as a mouth-watering clash between a pair of modern-day powerhouses.
THE LIONS ARE THROUGH TO THE 2025 TOYOTA AFL GRAND FINAL!!!#AFLFINALS pic.twitter.com/T6oQhhXM1r
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Q4: 1 min remaining: Collingwood 11.4.70 - Brisbane 15.10.100
Jamie Elliott has been outstanding for the Magpies and boots a consolation goal. That’s his fourth.
Updated
Q4: 3 mins remaining: Collingwood 10.4.64 - Brisbane 15.10.100
Party time for the Lions as stalwart Dayne Zorko boots his first of the night. Coach Chris Fagan lets fly with the celebrations.
Q4: 5 mins remaining: Collingwood 10.4.64 - Brisbane 14.10.94
Kai Lohmann might just have put the Lions in the 2025 grand final. Charlie Cameron and Callum Ah Chee can’t quite seal the deal but Lohmann gets toe to the ball before it crosses the goalline.
Q4: 7 mins remaining: Collingwood 10.4.64 - Brisbane 13.10.88
The Lions lock the ball forward but can’t quite find the sealer. That’s until Ty Gallop leaps to take a huge pack mark and kicks the most important goal of his admittedly minimal five matches.
Q4: 9 mins remaining: Collingwood 10.4.64 - Brisbane 12.10.82
The Magpies transition from defence to attack exquisitely and get the ball to Jamie Elliott in the goalsquare. Starcevich closes in and spoils as Elliott flies to mark but that was surely an infringement. In a blink of an eye, the ball is back at the other end and Logan Morris delivers a peach to Charlie Cameron. The out-of-sorts forward snaps a goal and the Lions can breathe again.
The delivery from Morris and the snap on the left from Charlie 😤#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/f3kSOqwcX2
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Updated
Q4: 11 mins remaining: Collingwood 10.4.64 - Brisbane 11.10.76
Mason Cox pulls a goal from nowhere as his long leg reaches out for the ball just before it crosses the goalline and Harris Andrews can make contact. A long series of replays and close ups finally show that Cox got the critical touch. Could that be the turning point?
Q4: 12 mins remaining: Collingwood 9.4.58 - Brisbane 11.10.76
Chaos in the Collingwood forward line as they earn a free kick outside the arc but Nick Daicos is intent on taking the advantage even after he is legged and goes to ground. Daicos gets a handball out to Steele Sidebottom who has free players in front of him but from 30m out hooks his kick out on the full.
Q4: 13 mins remaining: Collingwood 9.4.58 - Brisbane 11.10.76
Cam Rayner almost pulls down a strong grab but earns a high free kick after being manhandled by an out-of-position Brayden Maynard. From a tight angle, Rayner kicks too narrow and this game is still well and truly alive.
Q4: 15 mins remaining: Collingwood 9.4.58 - Brisbane 11.9.75
A two-on-one deep in the forward line for the Lions but Kai Lohmann doesn’t see – or at least get the ball to – Charlie Cameron. A kick off the ground dribbles out of bounds next to the post. That was a huge missed opportunity!
Q4: 17 mins remaining: Collingwood 9.4.58 - Brisbane 11.9.75
The Pies have several opportunities to swing the ball forward but fumbles and missed targets off handballs create another string of stoppages. Jamie Elliott is playing out of the goalsquare and looks the most likely of the Pies to be the match-winner.
Q4: 19 mins remaining: Collingwood 9.4.58 - Brisbane 11.9.75
The Lions win the centre clearance. The game has been even in that duel, but the Lions lead the clearances 37-23.
A huge Jamie Elliott hanger, ridiculous goals, injuries to star players and wild momentum swings. Collingwood and Brisbane are serving up another classic. But it has been good old contested footy that has helped the Lions take back the lead. We’re about to find out if the Pies can reclaim it in the final term …
3QT: Collingwood 9.4.58 - Brisbane 11.9.75
The momentum swings continue as Brisbane boot seven goals to Collingwood’s two in the third term. The reigning premiers take a 17-point lead into the final quarter.
Q3: 1 min remaining: Collingwood 9.4.58 - Brisbane 11.9.75
The Lions manage the final moments of the third time by edging the ball up the MCG without taking too many risks. Somehow Cam Rayner still finds space in the forward 50 and takes a strong grab. Deep breaths … and a goal.
Q3: 3 mins remaining: Collingwood 9.4.58 - Brisbane 10.9.69
Jamie Elliott sets up Tim Membrey for a shot from the forward pocket. Elliott has had a superb third term but Membrey is unable to finish off this handy work.
Q3: 5 mins remaining: Collingwood 9.3.57 - Brisbane 10.9.69
Will Ashcroft has stepped up in the third term and lets fly with a hopeful swing at a bouncing ball in the middle of a pack. That’s four goals to the Lions from forward 50 stoppages just in this term.
THIS GAME 🤯
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Will Ashcroft with the outrageous soccer finish through traffic!#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/QFLfx7DCKH
Updated
Q3: 8 mins remaining: Collingwood 9.3.57 - Brisbane 9.8.62
Kai Lohmann flies across a pack and pulls down a strong mark. But the Lions forward is unable to seal the deal from close range.
Q3: 10 mins remaining: Collingwood 9.3.57 - Brisbane 9.7.61
Jamie Elliott pulls down a much more regulation grab after Beau McCreery surges away from the centre bounce. His third goal brings the margin back to within a kick.
Two in a row for Elliott and the Pies 😤#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/MMXb3lWWBA
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Updated
Q3: 11 mins remaining: Collingwood 8.2.50 - Brisbane 9.7.61
Hugh McCluggage has had an incredible evening as a ball magnet and now has a goal to his name. The Lions had a stoppage in their forward 50 and might have earned a free kick for a ruck infringement. But McCluggage was quickest to react and dobs the goal.
Here is Jamie Elliott’s mark … hook it into my veins!
OH MY GOD JAMIE ELLIOTT WHAT A MARK!!!#AFLFINALS pic.twitter.com/cOzHYuNHaY
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Q3: 12 mins remaining: Collingwood 8.2.50 - Brisbane 8.7.55
Jamie Elliott pulls down an absolute screamer in the goalsquare. That was almost all about the leap, with only a hint of a sit. The Magpies favourite goals. Stay tuned for the replay.
Q3: 13 mins remaining: Collingwood 7.2.44 - Brisbane 8.7.55
Beau McCreery marks on the forward 50m arc after a swift transition from defence. He is out of range and dishes off to Jordan De Goey to unload from distance but the Lions have the shot covered on the goalline. The Magpies should have done better with players free closer to goal before McCreery marked. And seconds later Zorko launches deep into the Lions forward line and Cam Rayner has his first say on the game with a brilliant gather and snap for goal.
Cam Rayner that is incredible!#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/JSwNCLFO4e
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Updated
Q3: 15 mins remaining: Collingwood 7.1.43 - Brisbane 7.7.49
The Lions are on top in the contests and that is giving them a territory advantage. Will Ashcroft snaps a shot from 40m out but doesn’t get around the kick enough. That would have been huge and one he would have expected to slot.
Q3: 17 mins remaining: Collingwood 7.1.43 - Brisbane 7.6.48
The Pies lock the ball forward but once the Lions are out their slick ball movement slices through the middle of the MCG. Zorko kicks long to the pocket and Ty Gallop receives a dubious handball from Oscar McInerney. A step to the left and right gives the young forward some space and he puts the Lions back in front. What a game!
Big O at ground level, Gallop selling candy...
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
LIONS BACK IN FRONT!#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/96C3rF2N82
Updated
Q3: 18 mins remaining: Collingwood 7.1.43 - Brisbane 6.6.42
Another centre clearance to the Lions and Bruce Reville keeps the ball moving forward. Will Ashcroft gathers and from outside 50m is never in doubt. The young gun has shown in the past that he rises with the occasion! And we have a one-point game.
WILL ASHCROFT 🌟
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
All of a sudden it's a one-point game 🍿#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/DYjgQbHkuc
Updated
Q3: 19 mins remaining: Collingwood 7.1.43 - Brisbane 5.6.36
The Lions win the centre clearance and create a stoppage 20m from goal. Zac Bailey is on the move and gathers the ball at top speed. There is no stopping the midfielder and he gives the Lions the ideal start. He is having some game.
Zac Bailey gives the Lions the perfect start to the second half!#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/85YH51YnUX
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Updated
Zac Bailey and Jordan De Goey line up next to each other at the centre bounce, Josh Dunkley steps toward Nick Daicos. Here we go again …
No surprise that Nick Daicos has been a key to Collingwood’s fightback in the second term as the young star has 13 disposals to the main break. Nick’s brother, Josh, has also been important with 14 touches mostly from the back half, while Lachie Schultz has added a touch of class and creativity.
Will Ashcroft is having another strong final, as is his younger brother Levi, but the Lions were at their best when Zac Bailey was up and running and having a huge impact at stoppages. They won’t be able to get much more out of Hugh McCluggage who already has 22 disposals, but will have to chase the Pies down without Jarrod Berry who has been subbed out of the game along with Scott Pendlebury.
Here is some half-time reading as Nick Daicos has made a statement with an hour still to come.
HT: Collingwood 7.1.43 - Brisbane 4.6.30
Collingwood have taken control of this preliminary final against Brisbane with a masterful second term. The Magpies turned around a 20-point deficit at the first break with six goals straight while holding the Lions goalless.
HT: @CollingwoodFC 7.1 (43) lead @brisbanelions 4.6 (30).#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/srhDlHAK5K
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Q2: 1 min remaining: Collingwood 7.1.43 - Brisbane 4.5.29
Darcy Cameron charges forward and marks on the 50m arc as Nick Daicos earns a free kick at the centre bounce. A quick chip to Jordan De Goey is under 15m and the Pies forward flicks the ball to Dan Houston who slots a drop punt from just inside the boundary line. Everything is going Collingwood’s way and they won’t want half-time to come.
Houston from 50 on the boundary and it's SIX in a row for the Pies 🚀@Coles | #AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/XqZmxHTSM3
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Updated
Q2: 3 mins remaining: Collingwood 6.1.37 - Brisbane 4.5.29
A cheap one for the Magpies extends their lead on the cusp of half-time. Darcy Wilmot gives away 50m on the Lions half-forward line when booting the ball away just after a whistle is blown. It turns into a 100m penalty when Levi Ashcroft creeps into the protected space and Tim Membrey walks up to the goalline. Bruce Reville comes into the game for the Lions with Jarrod Berry subbed out after dislocating a shoulder.
Jarrod Berry and Ty Gallop have come from the ground following these incidents.#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/VR23VkOnXS
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Updated
Q2: 5 mins remaining: Collingwood 5.1.31 - Brisbane 4.5.29
Patrick Lipinski marks and goals from a few metres out and the Magpies are in front. Lachie Schultz opens up the play with a creative handball and a long bomb into the goalsquare finds Lipinski in a two-on-one. Ty Gallop is looking worse for wear after a collision with Jordan De Goey. The Magpies powerhouse is in some discomfort too. The Cats might be the ultimate winners in this fiery contest.
Lipinski makes it four in a row and the Pies are in front 👀#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/a5gEwAuUgf
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Updated
Q2: 7 mins remaining: Collingwood 4.1.25 - Brisbane 4.5.29
This is hectic, end-to-end chaos, with the signs of becoming another classic between the old finals rivals. Jarrod Berry looks to have dislocated his shoulder again. It has troubled the Lions midfielder for much of the season.
Q2: 9 mins remaining: Collingwood 4.1.25 - Brisbane 4.5.29
Dayne Zorko gives away another unnecessary free kick as he flings an arm around Lachie Schultz’s neck as the Magpies forward is running the opposite way. Schultz has been important to the fightback this quarter and he slots the shot from 40m out on a slight angle. This game has turned!
Q2: 11 mins remaining: Collingwood 3.1.19 - Brisbane 4.5.29
Tim Membrey makes amends for his earlier miss from a wayward banana as he nails a simple set shot. Lachie Schultz reads the Lions switch across half-back and marks just outside the arc then picks out the key forward for a second opportunity to bring the Pies right back into the game.
Q2: 13 mins remaining: Collingwood 2.1.13 - Brisbane 4.5.29
The Magpies go end-to-end and Jamie Elliott delivers into Tim Membrey’s lap. But the kick goes a little deep and leave the key forward with a tight angle to manage. Membrey’s shot goes across the face and the Pies need to make the most of their newfound momentum.
Q2: 15 mins remaining: Collingwood 2.1.13 - Brisbane 4.5.29
Beau McCreery marks on the forward 50 arc and takes a couple of extra quick steps. The Pies goalsneak is wrapped up in a tackle and what might have been a shot on goal is quickly transitioned to the other end. The Lions are just a touch more switched on, a bit more composed at the moment.
Q2: 17 mins remaining: Collingwood 2.1.13 - Brisbane 4.5.29
Jamie Elliott runs into an open goal as the Pies get one back. Intense pressure in their forward half causes a series of Lions errors and a miskick ends up in Brody Mihocek’s hands. A quick handpass over the top releases Elliott for a much-needed goal.
The Collingwood pressure allows Elliott to run into an open goal 💪#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/hvC3UCx0S3
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Updated
Q2: 19 mins remaining: Collingwood 1.1.7 - Brisbane 4.3.27
The Lions start the second term on the front foot but the Pies defence holds firm. The danger signs are back after the break.
Nick Daicos made a fast start with the first centre clearance of the game but has been restricted – as much as he can be – to six disposals, while Josh Dunkley has found five touches and booted an early goal. Hugh McCluggage (nine disposals) has had little trouble handling Steele Sidebottom’s attention and Pies coach Craig McRae has plenty of problems to solve. Time to find out what he has up his sleeve …
The Lions were well on top through the majority of the opening term and finished with 118-68 disposals, while their defence has been immense to limit the Magpies to two scoring shots from 13 inside 50s. Brisbane are hard to contain when they are commanding the footy and controlling the tempo, making their 82 uncontested possessions a major concern for the Pies (who have had 31).
QT: Collingwood 1.1.7 - Brisbane 4.3.27
Brisbane have opened up a commanding lead through the first term and Collingwood will have to find a way to work back into the contest without the injured Scott Pendlebury.
Q1: 1 min remaining: Collingwood 1.1.7 - Brisbane 4.3.27
Sam Marshall marks in much the same spot as Zac Bailey did a couple of minutes earlier. The centring bomb very nearly ends with a Lions kick off the crowd from point blank range.
Q1: 3 mins remaining: Collingwood 1.1.7 - Brisbane 4.2.26
Zac Bailey marks inside the 50m arc and lines up to put the Lions in command heading into the first change. But the midfielder slices his shot from 45m and the Pies breathe a sigh of relief. They’re only just hanging on though, and the black-and-white heavy crowd are incensed with the way this preliminary final is going.
Q1: 5 mins remaining: Collingwood 1.1.7 - Brisbane 4.2.26
Callum Ah Chee sprints the length of the centre square to chase down Jordan De Goey and prevent the Magpies dynamo kicking the ball into the forward 50 and the Lions counterattack. Young forward Ty Gallop finishes off a team-lifting goal and the Lions have kicked four in a row.
Gallop makes it four in a row for the Lions 🔥#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/TueZKKdbjj
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Updated
Q1: 7 mins remaining: Collingwood 1.1.7 - Brisbane 3.2.20
Logan Morris extends the Lions lead. The reigning premiers have settled and the Pies might just be a little rattled with their general Scott Pendlebury sitting on the bench with a calf injury.
Q1: 9 mins remaining: Collingwood 1.1.7 - Brisbane 2.2.14
Zac Bailey puts the Lions in front. The midfielder earns a free kick next the goal square for dispossessing Nick Daicos in a tackle and Jordan De Goey gives away a 50m penalty. Both sides are attacking the ball with ferocious intent and their is plenty of feeling in this contest.
Tensions rise as Zac Bailey slots the Lions' second.#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/8rMCexxHy7
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Updated
Q1: 11 mins remaining: Collingwood 1.1.7 - Brisbane 1.2.8
Scott Pendlebury has been subbed out with a calf injury. That will surely end his season even if the Magpies continue into next week.
Update from the MCG | Roan Steele has entered the game, replacing Scott Pendlebury (calf).
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) September 20, 2025
Q1: 12 mins remaining: Collingwood 1.1.7 - Brisbane 1.2.8
Jeremy Howe is back for just his second game since round 18 and is looking for a hole to hide in. The Magpies veteran’s short kick-in after a Logan Morris behind is cut off by Josh Dunkley. The Lions midfielder nails the set shot from 30m out and directly in front.
Dunkley gets the Lions' first 🦁#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/qoAvBHnOnc
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Q1: 13 mins remaining: Collingwood 1.1.7 - Brisbane 0.0.0
Scott Pendlebury is ruled out of the game as Collingwood prepare to make their sub.
Q1: 14 mins remaining: Collingwood 1.1.7 - Brisbane 0.0.0
Mason Cox kicks the first goal of the preliminary final after Dayne Zorko gives away a soft free kick. Nick Daicos bombs the ball into Cox’s path and Zorko turns to check that he is blocking the key forward’s way. Harris Andrews takes a simple mark but the whistle blows and Cox nails the set shot.
Plenty of tension at the 'G as Mason Cox kicks the opener.#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/r5GUgmkEh4
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Updated
Q1: 15 mins remaining: Collingwood 0.1.1 - Brisbane 0.0.0
The Lions are able to work their way out of the defensive 50 but are finding it harder to work through the Magpies’ wall set up between the wings. Scott Pendlebury has gone down to the Collingwood rooms!
Q1: 17 mins remaining: Collingwood 0.1.1 - Brisbane 0.0.0
The Magpies’ pressure is sky high – as you’d hope at the start of a preliminary final – and the Lions dodge a couple of close holding-the-ball calls deep in their defence. Jordan De Goey opens the scoring with a hurried snap.
Q1: 19 mins remaining: Collingwood 0.0.0 - Brisbane 0.0.0
The Pies trap the ball forward after Mason Cox drops a sitter within range of goal. The Lions are one of the best in the league around the stoppages and are able to clear and transition from defensive to forward 50 with ease.
First bounce
Collingwood’s Darcy Cameron and Brisbane’s Darcy Fort get us under way in the centre circle as the preliminary final begins at the MCG. Nick Daicos charges out of the middle for the first clearance but Mason Cox spills the mark.
Captains Darcy Moore and Harris Andrews have their final say before the Collingwood and Brisbane players head to their positions at the MCG with the preliminary final about to get under way …
Nick Daicos is well on the way to putting together the most imperious first 100 games of the AFL-era. But there might already be a challenger to the Collingwood star’s crown as Brisbane midfielder Will Ashcroft begins to stake a claim to being the best young footballer of this generation – at least when he steps onto the biggest stages.
Whether one or more of the Magpies’ brothers in arms, or the siblings from the sunshine state, can rise to the occasion will have a huge bearing on the result on Saturday.
But the debate over which brotherly duo is better, is one that fans will get to enjoy for the next decade.
The winner of this preliminary final will face Geelong in the grand final next Saturday after Patrick Dangerfield turned back the clock to deliver one of the all-time great finals performances.
Jonathan Horn was at the MCG to watch the Cats overcome an early scare – and a gut-wrenching concussion to gun defender Tom Stewart – to defeat the Hawks by 30 points.
20CharactersNoSpaces is wearing their heart on their sleeve. But I’m very confident their email will only put a smile on the faces of one-eyed Magpies fans.
“I’m hoping for a Lions win, as I reckon then it’ll be a great grand final match up, and barracking against the Pies because I’m unimpressed with their feral supporters (the same reason I’m rapt that the Crows went out in straight sets). Hope it’s a great game!”
Collingwood great Scott Pendlebury is set to play his ninth preliminary final as the standout in a side that relies on the experience and composure of their many veterans as much as the class of Nick Daicos and brute force of Jordan De Goey.
Jonathan Horn says the Magpies are showing that the “too old, too slow” slight is not only outdated. For the likes of Pendlebury, it has turned into a badge of honour.
Listening to a man itemise his hot/cold routine is just about the most boring thing a grown adult can do. But it’s the tedious, meticulous stuff in late October that allows him the full expression of his game in September. And it’s a joy to watch him play in moments like that – to watch him conducting a game, to watch him compute and solve the game’s problems, and to navigate its chokepoints.
The similarly ageless Patrick Dangerfield leaves divots, bruises and trauma. Pendlebury doesn’t leave a trace. He hovers above the game, popping in where he sees fit, like a cat hopping on a lap.
Updated
Here is how Collingwood and Brisbane have been named.
COLLINGWOOD
B: Billy Frampton, Darcy Moore, Brayden Maynard
HB: Harry Perryman, Dan Houston, Isaac Quaynor
C: Josh Daicos, Jordan De Goey, Ned Long
HF: Steele Sidebottom, Tim Membrey, Patrick Lipinski
F: Jamie Elliott, Mason Cox, Lachie Schultz
FOLL: Darcy Cameron, Scott Pendlebury, Nick Daicos
I/C: Jack Crisp, Beau McCreery, Jeremy Howe, Brody Mihocek
Sub: Roan Steele
BRISBANE
B: Dayne Zorko, Darcy Gardiner, Ryan Lester
HB: Darcy Wilmot, Harris Andrews, Brandon Starcevich
C: Hugh McCluggage, Levi Ashcroft, Jarrod Berry
HF: Charlie Cameron, Ty Gallop, Zac Bailey
F: Cam Rayner, Logan Morris, Callum Ah Chee
FOLL: Darcy Fort, Josh Dunkley, Will Ashcroft
I/C: Kai Lohmann, Jaspa Fletcher, Sam Marshall, Oscar McInerney
Sub: Bruce Reville
Final teams
Teams are in with no further changes.
Collingwood name Roan Steele as their sub just as he was in their qualifying final victory over Adelaide a couple of weeks ago. Bruce Reville is Brisbane’s 23rd players, also backing up in the role that he took on in the semi-final win over Gold Coast last weekend at the Gabba.
The Magpies recall Jeremy Howe with the defender recovering from a groin injury sustained in the last round of the home and away season. The 35-year-old has played just twice since round 18 but comes in at the expense of youngster Wil Parker. Brody Mihocek will play after overcoming a toe issue, but the Magpies leave out 2023 Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill.
The Lions line up with the same 23 players that beat the Suns with Lachie Neale still on the sidelines due to a calf injury.
No late changes for today's preliminary final.
— AFL (@AFL) September 20, 2025
Substitutes:@CollingwoodFC - Roan Steele@brisbanelions - Bruce Reville#AFLFinals
Collingwood and their team packed with veterans are benefiting from a week off either side of their qualifying final win over Adelaide, while they lead the league for pressure and tackles that help define their game.
Brisbane will have to take the long route to reach the grand final but showed last year that they can overcome that hurdle, and with a deep onball brigade are the best of the remaining three teams at taking command at the stoppages.
Here is where the game will be won – and lost.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to live coverage of the AFL preliminary final between Collingwood and Brisbane at the MCG. If you feel like we’ve been here before, you’re not too far wrong. This pair of modern-day powerhouses meet again at the pointy end of the season in a rematch of the 2023 grand final. But, this time, the past two AFL premiers are playing for a spot in the decider against Geelong next Saturday.
This is the first time the duo have faced off in a preliminary final, after the Lions won a pair of classic grand finals in 2002-03, and the Pies took the honours in a 2003 qualifying final sandwiched between. More recently, they shared their two clashes so far this season with the Pies making an early-season statement with a 52-point win at the Gabba, while the Lions turned the tables for a 27-point triumph at this same venue in round 21.
The reigning premiers are in their fourth consecutive preliminary final and seeking a third straight grand final spot, while the Pies are just as familiar with this stage – this is their third trip to the penultimate week of the season in coach Craig McRae’s four-year reign.
First bounce will be at 5.15pm local time / AEST. Team news will be coming shortly. Meanwhile, let us know your thoughts and predictions – shoot me an email or find me @martinpegan on Bluesky or X. Let’s get into it!
Who will meet Geelong in the 2025 Toyota AFL Grand Final? pic.twitter.com/EW3t6zp8tj
— AFL (@AFL) September 19, 2025
Updated