Collingwood Clinch Thrilling 2023 AFL Grand Final Victory Over Brisbane
In front of a roaring crowd of 100,024 at the MCG, the 2023 AFL Grand Final delivered one of the most pulsating spectacles in modern memory. Collingwood triumphed over the Brisbane Lions by a mere four points, 12.18 (90) to 13.8 (86), in a game packed with drama, brilliance, and defining moments that will live long in footy folklore.
Momentum Swings and Half-Time Edge
From the outset, the contest was tightly fought, with both sides exchanging goals in a see-sawing first half. Brisbane appeared threatening with Charlie Cameron and Joe Daniher causing headaches up forward, but it was Collingwood who took a slender six-point lead into the main break. A pivotal moment came just before the half-time siren, when Jordan de Goey launched a 50m bomb to edge the Pies ahead 9.9 (63) to Brisbane’s 9.3 (57).
Norm Smith Hero and Standout Performers
Bobby Hill emerged as the Grand Final hero, claiming the Norm Smith Medal with an electrifying four-goal performance. His second-quarter speccy and composed finishing gave Collingwood much-needed momentum. Nick Daicos, just 20 years old, was instrumental with 29 disposals and two crucial intercepts in the second half—one that led to a de Goey goal and another that killed a late Brisbane surge.
Steele Sidebottom showed his experience, nailing a clutch set shot from 50 metres following a critical 50m penalty late in the final term. Meanwhile, de Goey, Scott Pendlebury, and Tom Mitchell all stood tall in the Collingwood midfield when it counted most.
For Brisbane, Lachie Neale fought gallantly in the middle, Daniher kicked truly in a frantic final quarter, and Cameron looked dangerous whenever near the ball. Yet despite their efforts, the Lions fell agonisingly short.
Game-Defining Moments
Several moments etched themselves into the history books: de Goey’s thunderous pre-siren goal in the second quarter; Bobby Hill’s aerial masterpiece; Daicos’s ice-cold intercept and rebound work; and Sidebottom’s composed goal from long range with the clock ticking down.
As the final siren sounded, Collingwood held firm to secure their 16th premiership, equalling Carlton and Essendon for the most in VFL/AFL history. It was a final quarter riddled with tension, where every contest, turnover, and kick mattered.
A Grand Final for the Ages
This Grand Final will be remembered not only for its razor-thin margin and individual brilliance but also for the unrelenting intensity and tactical chess played out over four quarters. For Collingwood fans, it was the sweet reward for years of close calls; for Brisbane, a painful reminder of how close yet so far they were from glory.
In the end, it was Collingwood’s composure, execution under pressure, and moments of sheer brilliance that saw them etch their name into AFL immortality in what many are calling one of the greatest Grand Finals ever played.
