Logan Morris celebrates during the round 21 match between Collingwood and Brisbane at the MCG, August 2, 2025. Picture: Getty Images

BRISBANE has beaten Collingwood at the MCG for the first time since 2014, defeating the home side by 27 points in a high-pressure contest on Saturday night in perfect conditions.

The Lions’ third quarter proved the difference, their midfield dominating stoppages and winning clearances 20 to the Magpies’ nine, and kicking four goals to one.

MAGPIES v LIONS Full match coverage and stats

As always, Collingwood never gave in, but the reigning premier’s class outshone the Pies as they went on to win 14.8 (92) to 10.5 (65) in front of a crowd of 82,326.

The win keeps Brisbane in third place on the ladder with three rounds remaining before finals.

Saturday night’s loss makes it three from the past four games for Collingwood, having also fallen to fellow top-eight teams Fremantle, Gold Coast and now Brisbane in the last month.

Hugh McCluggage was part of the Lions’ unstoppable midfield, finishing the night with 34 disposals and seven clearances, and was joined by the usual suspects in dual Brownlow medallist Lachie Neale (36 disposals and 12 clearances) and Josh Dunkley (31 and nine clearances).

Young key forward Logan Morris dominated in front of goal, kicking a career-high six goals.

He was joined by unlikely goalscorer Henry Smith who kicked three in his first game of the year, and former No.1 draft pick Cam Rayner who came to life in the second half kicking two of his own.

Collingwood had nine individual goalscorers, with veteran Steele Sidebottom finishing the match as his side’s only multiple goalkicker with two.

As always, Nick Daicos’ workrate and class shone, particularly in the first half where he had 17 disposals, four inside 50s and a goal. Daicos finished the night with 29 disposals, equal with his brother Josh.

Magpies fans will be pleased with the return of key players Jordan De Goey and Bobby Hill who made successful comebacks from time away from the game. The two shared minutes, Hill starting as the sub and replacing De Goey in the third term. 

The first two quarters were an armwrestle, with Brisbane getting the better of the Pies in the first term as Morris and Smith got on top of Collingwood’s defence with two goals apiece. 

It was the reverse after quarter-time when Collingwood turned the tables kicking five to Brisbane’s two. Former Lion Dan McStay kicked one against his old team, and Tim Membrey, Steele Sidebottom and Jamie Elliott all contributed with goals of their own. Only a point could separate the two teams at the main break with the Lions in front.

Brisbane’s midfield lifted in the third term as did Rayner and Zac Bailey. Bailey, who had only touched the ball four times up to half-time, had 11 disposals and a goal to help the Lions extend their lead 19 to points heading into the final quarter.

The visitors controlled the tempo to start the final term, but weren’t able to put scores on the board and a Bobby Hill screamer and goal halfway through the quarter looked like the Magpies could come from behind to steal the win.

But a second goal to Rayner and a sixth to Morris extended the Lions’ lead to a game-high 27 points as Brisbane held on to seal the victory.

Henry’s hot night
Chris Fagan brought the relatively unknown Henry Smith into the Lions’ line-up, replacing big man Oscar McInerney who was managed. It was Smith’s first game of the season and his first at the MCG, and the 22-year-old took his opportunity with both hands. Smith kicked his first AFL goal in the first quarter, then just moments later kicked his second. The 202cm ruck/forward finished the night with three goals next to his name.

Henry Smith celebrates during the round 21 match between Collingwood and Brisbane at the MCG, August 2, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

Returning Pies share minutes
Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill and Magpie fan favourite Jordan De Goey returned to the Collingwood line-up tonight after having long layoffs from the game. It was Hill’s first senior match since round 15 and De Goey’s since round eight. They shared minutes on Saturday night, and moments, De Goey showing his dash from the middle and kicking a goal whilst Hill came on in the third quarter and took a screamer and kicked a goal in the final term.

COLLINGWOOD    2.2   7.3    8.5    10.5 (65)
BRISBANE             5.4   7.4   11.6    14.8 (92)

GOALS
Collingwood: Sidebottom 2, Schultz, N.Daicos, McStay, Membrey, De Goey, Elliott, Mihocek, Hill
Brisbane: Morris 6, Smith 3, Rayner 2, Bailey 2, Wilmot

BEST
Collingwood: N.Daicos, Sidebottom, J.Daicos, Schultz, Pendlebury
Brisbane: McCluggage, Morris, Neale, Dunkley, W.Ashcroft

INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Brisbane: Ryan Lester (concussion)

SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Bobby Hill (replaced Jordan De Goey in the third quarter)
Brisbane: Bruce Reville (replaced Ryan Lester in the second quarter)

Crowd: 82,326 at the MCG