COLLINGWOOD
Backs: N.Murphy 28 D.Moore 30 J.Howe 38
Half Backs: B.Maynard 4 B.Frampton 17 I.Quaynor 3
Centreline: S.Sidebottom 22 S.Pendlebury 10 O.Markov 37
Half Forwards: B.Hill 23 B.Mihocek 41 J.Elliott 5
Forwards: B.McCreery 31 J.De Goey 2 J.Daicos 7
Followers M.Cox 46 N.Daicos 35 J.Crisp 25
Interchange: T.Mitchell 6 D.Cameron 14 W.Hoskin-Elliott 32 J.Ginnivan 33
Emergencies: P.Lipinski (nominated substitute) 1 J.Noble 9 F.Macrae 18 H.Harrison 36
In: B.Frampton
Out: P.Lipinski (omitted), D.McStay (injured)
BRISBANE LIONS
Backs: B.Starcevich 37 H.Andrews 31 D.Gardiner 27
Half Backs: C.McKenna 26 R.Lester 35 K.Coleman 18
Centreline: H.McCluggage 6 J.Dunkley 5 D.Zorko 15
Half Forwards: C.Cameron 23 E.Hipwood 30 C.Ah Chee 4
Forwards: C.Rayner 16 J.Daniher 3 Z.Bailey 33
Followers: O.McInerney 46 L.Neale 9 J.Berry 7
Interchange: D.Robertson 2 L.McCarthy 11 J.Fletcher 28 D.Wilmot 44
Emergencies: J.Lyons 17 J.Tunstill 29 D.Fort 32 J.Payne 40
In: None
Out: J.Lyons (Sub)
Collingwood young gun Jack Ginnivan will start in the club’s 22.Credit: AFL Photos
What the experts think
Peter Ryan
Brisbane Lions by 7 points.
The Lions have improved their game inch by inch to get to a grand final and are poised to win it. Collingwood’s loss of Dan McStay and Taylor Adams makes scoring harder against a team that kicks big totals.
Norm Smith: Joe Daniher.
Libby Birch
Brisbane Lions by 9
They have been the quiet achievers all year. The Lions will overcome their MCG hoodoo, using their clearance game to give their versatile forwards good looks inside 50.
Norm Smith: Huge McCluggage.
Jon Pierik
Brisbane Lions by 1 point.
Dan McStay’s absence is bigger than many think. The Lions have more goal-scoring options than the Magpies, while Harris Andrews will be pivotal in defence.
Norm Smith: Lachie Neale.
Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale.Credit: Getty Images
Marc McGowan
Collingwood by 8 points.
The Magpies could, and maybe should, have lost both their finals this year, but instead found a way to win both times. That’s been a trend in the Craig McRae era, and they are due to produce a really strong performance.
Norm Smith: Jordan De Goey.
Michael Gleeson
Collingwood by 8 points.
Last time they played in Melbourne it was at Marvel Stadium and Collingwood lost by four goals without Darcy Moore, Nick Daicos, Jordan De Goey or Bobby Hill. On MCG with those four in the team, the Pies get up.
Norm Smith: Darcy Moore.
Andrew Wu
Brisbane Lions by 22 points.
In an era where defence rules, Brisbane have tightened up their game while maintaining their attacking flair. While both teams are well-drilled behind the ball, the Lions have more weapons capable of breaking through the defensive lines to hurt the Pies, who have been mighty under Craig McRae.
Norm Smith: Lachie Neale.
Jake Niall
Brisbane Lions by 15 points.
Collingwood have faced stronger finals opposition but the Lions’ form is better. The loss of Dan McStay and potential use of Billy Frampton highlight Collingwood’s structural issue up forward, compared with the settled Lions, who have more firepower and improved grunt. It will be enough to overcome their MCG bogey.
Norm Smith: Josh Dunkley.
Greg Baum
Brisbane Lions by 15 points.
In the all-enveloping drama of another Collingwood grand final appearance, it’s easy to forget how consistently good Brisbane have been in recent years, and that they’re measurably better this year, and that they’re taking better form than Collingwood into the grand final – and that Melbourne as an excessively generous host is turning on Brisbane’s weather.
Norm Smith: Cam Rayner.
Caroline Wilson
Brisbane Lions by 13 points.
The Lions enter the MCG on Saturday as the significantly better-performed team of the past half-dozen games with better scoring potential and an equally solid defence. They might not have won on the MCG this year but they showed in the third quarter against Melbourne in July that they can play their best football there.
Norm Smith: Cam Rayner.
Mathew Stokes
Collingwood by 18 points.
Their run will be too much for the Lions at the end of the game.
Norm Smith: Jack Crisp.
Sam McClure
Collingwood by 6 points.
The Pies have been the best team all year and no matter what’s thrown at them, they still seem to find a way.
Norm Smith: Mason Cox.
Marnie Vinall
Collingwood by 2 points.
It’ll be a close one. After this finals series, and with these two teams, how could it not be? But Collingwood at the ’G? That’s a hard task for Lions, even if they have gotten the better of them recently. The Pies can come from behind to pull off the most Houdini-like escapes from defeat and defend a lead by suffocating the ball under pressure and chaos. If they get an early jump, they’ll be hard to stop. And if the Lions leave the door even a bit ajar, the Magpies will swoop.
Norm Smith: Jack Crisp.
Kane Cornes
Collingwood by 17 points.
Brisbane are a more talented team with a more potent forward line, but Collingwood will settle earlier and the Lions might struggle to cope with the Pies’ frontal pressure and sling off half-back.
Norm Smith: Nick Daicos.
Emma Kearney
Collingwood by 13 points.
Pies have been the form side all year and have players across all lines that love the big stage. Their quick ball movement from turnover will place Brisbane’s defence under immense pressure.
Norm Smith: Jordan De Goey.
