A Four-Point Classic That Defined Modern September Football
🏆 Final Score — 2023 AFL Grand Final
| Quarter | Collingwood | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 4.4 (28) | 3.0 (18) |
| Q2 | 9.9 (63) | 9.3 (57) |
| Q3 | 10.15 (75) | 11.5 (71) |
| Q4 | 12.18 (90) | 13.8 (86) |
Date: Saturday, 30 September 2023
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Attendance: 100,024
Premiers: Collingwood Magpies
Norm Smith Medal: Bobby Hill (Collingwood)
A Grand Final That Had Everything
The 2023 AFL Grand Final was football at its most raw, dramatic, and unforgiving. Played before a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground of more than 100,000 fans, Collingwood’s four-point victory over the Brisbane Lions delivered one of the most gripping premiership deciders of the modern era.
This wasn’t just a close Grand Final — it was a nerve-shredding arm wrestle, defined by momentum swings, individual brilliance, and moments that will live forever in AFL folklore. From the opening bounce to the final desperate Brisbane surge, this match demanded courage, composure, and belief.
For Collingwood, it was the crowning moment of a remarkable resurgence under Craig McRae. For Brisbane, it was heartbreak — the kind that lingers long after the siren.
Build-Up and Grand Final Day Atmosphere
The anticipation leading into the 2023 Grand Final was immense. Collingwood had been the competition’s most resilient side all season, renowned for winning close games and thriving in chaos. Brisbane, meanwhile, arrived battle-hardened and brimming with attacking firepower after a dominant finals campaign.
Adding to the theatre was the pre-game entertainment, headlined by legendary rock band KISS, whose performance brought a sense of occasion and nostalgia to footy’s biggest stage. Their appearance marked one of the most talked-about Grand Final entertainment acts in recent memory, reinforcing the spectacle that now surrounds the modern AFL decider.
First Half: Tactical Balance and Scoreboard Pressure
The opening half was a showcase of elite finals football. Both sides moved the ball with purpose, but in contrasting ways.
Brisbane looked dangerous whenever Charlie Cameron and Joe Daniher found space, capitalising on clean inside-50 delivery. Collingwood, however, countered with relentless pressure, quick ball movement, and their trademark ability to surge forward in waves.
A pivotal moment came just before half-time when Jordan De Goey launched a long, running goal after the siren. It was a momentum shifter — the type of moment that often defines Grand Finals. That kick gave Collingwood a six-point buffer at the main break, 9.9 (63) to 9.3 (57), despite Brisbane arguably having been the more accurate side.
The Third Quarter: Brisbane’s Surge, Collingwood’s Resolve
The premiership quarter delivered exactly what fans hoped for — intensity, bravery, and belief.
Brisbane lifted, winning territory and briefly taking the lead as their midfield found greater cohesion. Lachie Neale worked tirelessly at stoppages, while Hugh McCluggage and Cam Rayner drove the ball forward with intent.
Yet Collingwood refused to blink. Even as Brisbane edged ahead, the Magpies’ defensive structure — led by Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe — held firm. The Pies entered the final change down by just four points, perfectly positioned for another trademark last-quarter fightback.
Final Quarter: Composure Under Ultimate Pressure
The final term was football distilled to its purest form.
Every possession mattered. Every decision carried weight. The margin hovered within a kick for almost the entire quarter.
Steele Sidebottom’s goal from outside 50, following a costly 50-metre penalty, was one of the defining moments of the match. It wasn’t flashy — it was brave, experienced, and clutch. The kind of goal premierships are built on.
Brisbane responded through Joe Daniher, setting up a frantic final few minutes. The Lions surged forward repeatedly, but Collingwood’s composure — particularly from young star Nick Daicos — proved decisive. Daicos’ late intercept and calm ball use under suffocating pressure effectively sealed the result.
When the final siren sounded, Collingwood players collapsed in relief. They had held on — again.
Norm Smith Medal: Bobby Hill’s Grand Final Masterclass
If there was ever a Norm Smith Medal winner who embodied Grand Final impact, it was Bobby Hill.
Hill’s four goals were not only crucial — they were timely. His second-quarter mark and goal ignited the crowd, while his pressure acts and forward craft consistently unsettled Brisbane’s defence.
Beyond the scoreboard, Hill’s work rate, speed, and intensity stretched the Lions and created opportunities for teammates. In a match filled with stars, he stood tallest when it mattered most.
Best on Ground and Players Unlucky to Miss Out
While Hill claimed the medal, several players delivered performances worthy of acclaim.
- Nick Daicos (29 disposals): Ice-cold under pressure, especially late.
- Jordan De Goey: Powerful midfield presence and a crucial pre-siren goal.
- Scott Pendlebury: Leadership and poise when the game was on the line.
- Tom Mitchell: Clearance work that often went unnoticed but proved vital.
For Brisbane, Lachie Neale battled relentlessly, while Charlie Cameron and Joe Daniher provided constant threat. On another day, with slightly different bounces or cleaner entries, the result could easily have swung.
Historical Significance
Collingwood’s victory secured their 16th VFL/AFL premiership, drawing them level with Carlton and Essendon atop the all-time premiership tally. It also validated Craig McRae’s game style — built on connection, belief, and adaptability.
For Brisbane, the loss was cruel but formative. Their list, still rich with talent and finals experience, showed they belonged on the biggest stage. History suggests premiership sides are often forged through Grand Final heartbreak.
Team Line-Ups
Collingwood Magpies
Backs: Nathan Murphy, Darcy Moore, Jeremy Howe
Half-Backs: Brayden Maynard, Billy Frampton, Isaac Quaynor
Centre: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Oleg Markov
Half-Forwards: Bobby Hill, Brody Mihocek, Jamie Elliott
Forwards: Beau McCreery, Jordan De Goey, Josh Daicos
Followers: Mason Cox, Nick Daicos, Jack Crisp
Interchange: Tom Mitchell, Darcy Cameron, Will Hoskin-Elliott
Substitute: Patrick Lipinski
Coach: Craig McRae
Brisbane Lions
Backs: Brandon Starcevich, Darcy Gardiner, Harris Andrews
Half-Backs: Keidean Coleman, Ryan Lester, Conor McKenna
Centre: Josh Dunkley, Lachie Neale, Jarrod Berry
Half-Forwards: Zac Bailey, Eric Hipwood, Dayne Zorko
Forwards: Charlie Cameron, Joe Daniher, Lincoln McCarthy
Followers: Oscar McInerney, Hugh McCluggage, Cam Rayner
Interchange: Deven Robertson, Callum Ah Chee, Jaspa Fletcher
Substitute: Jack Payne
Coach: Chris Fagan
Conclusion: Why the 2023 Grand Final Endures
The 2023 AFL Grand Final stands as a reminder of why this game captivates a nation. It had drama, heroes, heartbreak, and history — all compressed into two unforgettable hours.
For Collingwood supporters, it was validation. For neutrals, it was theatre. And for Brisbane, it was a painful lesson that greatness is often one kick away.
Years from now, when fans debate the greatest Grand Finals of the AFL era, this one will always be in the conversation — a four-point classic that captured the very essence of September football.