Brisbane delivered a commanding performance against Collingwood, winning by 54 points with a final score of 17.17 (119) to 10.5 (65) on Easter Thursday. The absence of key players for Collingwood—Nick Daicos, Scott Pendlebury, and Darcy Moore—was significantly felt, allowing the Lions to dominate the midfield.
Despite missing several of their own stars, including Harris Andrews and Hugh McCluggage, the Lions showcased their depth and skill. Their midfield control was impressive, winning the clearance count 42 to 24, and scoring six goals directly from centre bounces. In stark contrast, Collingwood struggled without Daicos, who was unable to play after failing a fitness test. This left their already limited midfield even more vulnerable, and they managed only two clearances to Brisbane’s ten in the third quarter.
The situation raised concerns for Collingwood coach Craig McRae, who must now consider the future of their midfield line-up, especially as Pendlebury nears the end of his career. The Magpies’ reliance on Daicos became glaringly apparent, as they failed to capitalize on his absence.
A notable incident of the night involved Steele Sidebottom, who was tackled hard by Brisbane’s Keidean Coleman, leaving the veteran needing assistance off the field, though he returned for the second half. The scoreboard itself perhaps flattered Collingwood, as Brisbane was wasteful, registering 34 scoring shots compared to just 15 for the Pies, indicating a more significant disparity between the two teams.
Key players for Brisbane shone brightly, with Will Ashcroft tallying 36 disposals, a goal, and six clearances. Lachie Neale contributed 29 disposals and also won six clearances. Oscar Allen celebrated a stellar comeback by kicking three goals, alongside strong performances from recruit Sam Draper and young duo Kai Lohmann and Logan Morris, who combined for seven goals.
For Collingwood, Dan Houston’s 32 touches highlighted his strong season, while Dan McStay managed to score four goals against his former team.
Looking ahead, Collingwood will face Adelaide next week during Gather Round, while Brisbane will travel to the Barossa Valley to play North Melbourne. The game served as a wake-up call for the Magpies, emphasising the need for midfield reinforcements as they evaluate their options for the off-season.