Collingwood has won the 2023 AFL Grand Final, after defeating Brisbane 12.18 (90) to 13.8 (86) on a sunny afternoon at the MCG in front of 100,024 eager fans.
With the victory, the Magpies have won their 16th VFL/AFL premiership, putting the exclamation point on a dominant second season under coach Craig McRae.
Collingwood took a one-goal lead into the second half, as the two sides traded blows in a seesawing contest.
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Giant trade immortalises Bobby Hill in Collingwood folklore
Collingwood's Bobby Hill is a Norm Smith Medallist.
Hill was at his brilliant best in the Magpies’ win, slotting a career-high four goals and regularly producing the spectacular, including a high-flying mark over Lions defender Brandon Starcevich.
Collingwood acquired the 23-year-old from GWS for a future second-round pick and a third-round pick swap, and there’s no question the move has paid off.
Hill played just 11 games for the Giants last season but instantly made an impression at the Victorian powerhouse.
Now, on the biggest stage, the small forward was arguably Collingwood’s most important player and proved the difference between the two sides.
WE'LL SAY IT AGAIN.
— Collingwood FC (@CollingwoodFC) September 30, 2023
BOBBY HILL IS BUILT FOR THE BIG STAGE 🪜 pic.twitter.com/CYhsHDBk4X
Nick Daicos puts finishing touch on incredible season
In typical Nick Daicos fashion, the 20-year-old led all-comers with 29 disposals and came up clutch with the opening goal of the game.
The speedy midfielder was back at his best after returning from a hairline fracture in his knee in the preliminary final.
It caps off an incredible season for the second-year star, who now joins father Peter and brother Josh as a Collingwood premiership player.
The amazing performance comes a week after Daicos finished third in the Brownlow Medal count with 28 votes.
Lions have too many down players
In a nail-biting game, Brisbane had too many players who didn't perform to the top of their ability, including two in particular - Jarrod Berry and Eric Hipwood.
Berry will have nightmares thinking back to this match, having hardly any positive impact and giving away two undisciplined 50m penalties.
He only managed 10 disposals during the game and was mostly anonymous aside from the ill-discipline.
Hipwood competed but dropped a few marks, fumbled the ball a couple of times and simply couldn't get himself into the game.
Other Lions who won't look back fondly on the game include Callum Ah Chee (six disposals), Jaspa Fletcher (nine disposals) and Darcy Wilmot (12 disposals).
Brandon Starcevich also struggled to handle a hot Bobby Hill.
Brisbane robbed by controversial advantage?
It will likely be the most talked about decision of the grand final - why wasn't Brisbane's advantage for a free kick cancelled?
With less than a minute on the clock and Collingwood up by four points, Lachie Neale was tripped 60m out and a free kick was whistled by the umpire.
The ball squeezed out to Bailey, who immediately snapped the ball inside 50, with Collingwood defenders getting to the messy entry and clearing the ball.
However, Bailey's kick occurred before the Lion could have contemplated that his team had won a free kick.
It's arguable that the umpires should have brought the ball back to Neale 60m out.
And, while the Brownlow Medallist didn't have the distance on him, he could have found a target or sent it deep into the 50 at the very least.
