In a thrilling Easter Thursday blockbuster, the Brisbane Lions faced off against the Collingwood Magpies at the Gabba, with both teams showcasing their prowess in the early rounds of the 2025 AFL season. The Lions, who came into the match with an impressive 5-0 record, were eager to defend their premiership title against a formidable Collingwood side that boasted a 4-1 record.
As the game kicked off at 7:30 PM AEST, the atmosphere was electric, with fans eagerly anticipating a fierce contest. Collingwood made a late change to their lineup, bringing in tall forward Mason Cox to replace Lachie Sullivan, who was managed. The Lions also had a debutant in their ranks, with Sam Marshall named as a substitute alongside James Tunstill, who replaced injured players Bruce Reville and Will McLachlan.
From the outset, it was clear that both teams were vying for dominance. Collingwood struck first, with Brody Mihochek kicking a stunning goal from 45 meters, setting the tone for the Magpies' attacking intent. Jamie Elliott, playing his 200th AFL game, added to the excitement by slotting a goal, much to the delight of the Collingwood faithful.
However, the Lions were not to be outdone. Eric Hipwood got Brisbane on the board with a well-timed goal, showcasing the team's resilience. As the first quarter progressed, both teams exchanged blows, but it was Collingwood who held the upper hand, leading 4.2 (26) to 2.4 (16) at the first break.
As the match continued, the pressure intensified. Brisbane struggled to find their rhythm, often falling behind in clearances, a trend that had plagued them throughout the season. Despite this, the Lions had a history of making comebacks, having won their last eight games when trailing at halftime—a feat not accomplished in the V/AFL for over a century.
In the second quarter, Nick Daicos emerged as a standout performer for the Magpies, adding to his tally with a crucial goal. His 21 disposals in the first half underscored his impact on the game. The Lions’ Dayne Zorko and coach Chris Fagan were seen having a heated exchange on the bench, indicating the mounting pressure on Brisbane as they struggled to keep pace with Collingwood.
At halftime, the scoreboard read Collingwood 8.3 (51) leading Brisbane 4.8 (32), leaving the Lions with a significant deficit to overcome. The Magpies were not only capitalizing on their clearances but also demonstrating clinical finishing in front of goal, a stark contrast to Brisbane's struggles.
As the third quarter unfolded, Brisbane showed signs of life. Oscar McInerney scored a much-needed goal, narrowing the gap to 14 points. However, Collingwood responded swiftly with Beau McCreery kicking a goal from just inside 50, pushing the lead back to 20 points.
The tension escalated as both teams engaged in physical contests, with moments of brilliance and frustration evident on the field. Cam Rayner managed to sneak in a goal for Brisbane, igniting hope among the home crowd. Yet, the Magpies quickly countered, with Will Hoskin-Elliott and Dan McStay both finding the back of the net, extending Collingwood's lead to a commanding 11.7 (73) to 5.8 (38) by the end of the third quarter.
Brisbane's struggles were further compounded by missed opportunities, as both Rayner and Cal Ah Chee failed to convert set shots, a critical factor in the match. The Lions needed to harness their forward pressure and find a way to penetrate Collingwood's tight defense.
As the final quarter began, the Lions were faced with a daunting challenge. They needed to summon the spirit of their past comebacks to have any chance of turning the tide against a determined Magpies side. However, Collingwood's dominance in the clearances and their ability to convert chances into goals proved too much for Brisbane.
Despite the Lions' best efforts, Collingwood maintained their composure, controlling the tempo of the game and limiting Brisbane's scoring opportunities. The final whistle blew, confirming a disappointing night for the Lions, who fell short with a final score of Collingwood 11.7 (73) to Brisbane 5.8 (38).
In the aftermath of the match, Brisbane's coach and players faced tough questions about their performance, particularly regarding their slow starts and inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. As the Lions look to regroup, they must address these issues if they hope to remain contenders in the 2025 season.
Meanwhile, Collingwood's victory solidified their status as serious premiership contenders, showcasing their depth and resilience in a high-stakes encounter. With Jordan De Goey returning from injury and the team’s overall performance on the rise, the Magpies are poised for a strong finish to the season.
As the AFL season progresses, all eyes will be on Brisbane as they seek to reclaim their form and the spotlight shifts to Collingwood, who will look to build on their momentum in the weeks to come.
