Collingwood Defeats Brisbane in a Grand Final Rematch at the Gabba

SIX MONTHS after one of the greatest Grand Finals of all time, Collingwood and Brisbane faced off again at the Gabba on Thursday night in a highly anticipated rematch. The Lions and Magpies, the first two teams to play off in the decider last season, both entered the game with a 0-2 record. Collingwood, the reigning premier, was even worse off with a 0-3 start.

Brisbane, with a 0-2 record, had shown flashes of brilliance in their losses, starting strong but faltering in the middle quarters. The return to the Gabba was crucial for the Lions to bounce back after their previous loss to Carlton in Opening Round on home turf.

In team news, Brisbane saw the return of key players Lachie Neale, Jack Payne, and Darcy Fort, while missing Conor McKenna due to hamstring issues. Collingwood made changes too, with Steele Sidebottom rested and Oleg Markov dropped. Will Hoskin-Elliott and John Noble were brought in to strengthen the Magpies’ lineup.

The clash at the Gabba saw a determined Lions side facing a desperate Collingwood seeking their first win of the season. The return of Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale provided a boost for Brisbane, while Collingwood relied on veterans like Jamie Elliott and Dayne Zorko to lead the way.

The game unfolded as a tense battle between the two fierce rivals, with momentum swinging back and forth. In the end, Collingwood managed a crucial victory over Brisbane, breaking their winless streak and putting the Lions in a challenging position at 0-3 to start the season.