Grand Final Recap
The Magpies were slight favourites coming in despite having lost their last six games to Brisbane. On Saturday they were finally able to breakthrough against the Lions winning a nail-biting Grand Final 90-86.
Collingwood got off to a roaring start as superstar Nick Daicos kicked the game’s first goal just four minutes in. Two minutes after that, Bobby Hill was also able to put through a goal giving the Magpies a quick 12-0 lead.
Brisbane halted Collingwood’s momentum with a goal of their own scored by Zac Bailey. Then, after a pair of behinds from Collingwood, Lincoln McCarthy put through a goal for Brisbane to cut the Magpie lead to 14-12.
Just three minutes after that, the Lions took their first lead of the night with Bailey impressively squirming away from Magpie defenders near the boundary and kicking a goal.
Collingwood then turned on the afterburners at the end of quarter number one scoring two goals and putting through two behinds to take a 28-18 lead.
Brisbane responded immediately as the second quarter began, scoring two goals and a behind of their own to go up 31-28.
Bobby Hill and Charlie Cameron would then exchange goals and three consecutive Collingwood behinds after that tied the match at 37.
The pace from both teams for the rest of the first half was extraordinary as each were playing quick, powerful attacking footy. This led to three more Brisbane goals, and four more for Collingwood who took a 63-57 lead into the break.
The second half was much lower scoring than the first as the two teams began to really clamp down defensively and the attackers missed some opportunities.
The first goal of the quarter was scored eight minutes in by Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage. Four minutes later the Lions found another goal, this time off the boot of Deven Robertson as they took a 70-67 lead.
Collingwood had more of the ball in the quarter but were behind on the scoreboard as they weren’t able to convert their chances with six behinds and no goals nearing the end of the quarter.
Magpies veteran Scott Pendlebury finally found a goal just before the quarters end to reinstate a Collingwood lead.
The two teams began the final quarter by trading three behinds each. Then, with five minutes to play, Charlie Cameron scored a goal for Brisbane to give them an 80-78 lead.
Jordan De Goey immediately responded for the Magpies blasting through a goal from outside 50 metres. Steele Sidebottom then added to the Collingwood lead with a goal of his own.
Brisbane refused to give up as Joe Daniher put one through with 90 seconds remaining in the match getting the Lions within four points of their opponents. They threw everything at Collingwood over the next minute and a half but couldn’t find the goal they needed as Collingwood won the Premiership.
This was the first Premiership for Collingwood since 2010 and now sits them atop the all-time premiership record ladder with Essendon and Carlton at 16 each.
Bobby Hill Wins Norm Smith Medal to Cap-off Incredible Comeback Story
In just May of last year, Bobby Hill was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Flash forward to today, and he is the Norm Smith Medal winner and a Grand Final champion.
After fighting to return to footy, Hill has reached the mountain top in spectacular fashion. He was extraordinary today kicking four goals en route to being awarded all five three-votes from the Norm Smith judges.
