‘That is ridiculous’: Collingwood premiers after Grand Final robbery

The footy world was treated to an insane spectacle as the lead changed 11 times throughout the match before the Magpies held on for a victory of high drama.

The premiership cup could so easily have gone Brisbane’s way.

Charlie Cameron kicked a goal with five minutes remaining to put the Lions ahead, but Jordan De Goey stood up when it mattered by slotting a massive goal from outside the 50m arc to put the Pies back in front just seconds later.

Steele Sidebottom followed De Goey’s lead one minute later when he bombed home a goal from outside 50m following a 50m free kick.

The crowd of 100,024 were treated to an absolute thriller of high-quality football before everything changed in the fourth quarter as the nerves began to get the best of both teams.

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The most controversial moment of the game arrived with just two minutes to play when advantage was called on the Lions after Lachie Neale and Zac Bailey were both tackled late after they’d released the ball near the edge of the centre square. With the ball dribbling free, Bailey was nowhere near being in a position to take advantage, surrounded by Collingwood players, and was immediately set upon by Magpies defenders.

Instead of having a chance to find a target inside fifty, Bailey’s kick lobbed forward to a contest.

“That wasn’t a good advantage that one,” Channel 7’s Matthew Richardson said.

“That is ridiculous. They didn’t know it was their free kick.”

The ball went up the other end and Collingwood held on for a famous 12.18 (90) to 13.8 (86) win.

It looked like the Lions were going to pinch it after Joe Daniher’s late goal, but the umpire’s call to force the Lions to play on in the most pivotal section of play of the match will now be a dark chapter on an otherwise epic decider.

The footy world was full of condemnation for the umpire’s decision.

“That advantage call was an absolute shocker. Collingwood deserved winners, but wow that was awful,” Code Sport’s Lachlan McKirdy posted on Twitter.

ABC’s Paul Johnson posted: “Better team wins in Collingwood but that was rancid umpiring at the end. Brisbane Lions had no advantage to take.”

ESPN’s Kane Pittman posted: “The worst advantage call of all time at the worst possible time. Horrific call”.

Former Brisbane Lions captain Tom Rockliff wrote: “How is that advantage? Disgraceful. Lions robbed.”

5pm – Footy world blown away by Grand Final insanity

For the umpteenth time this season, Collingwood are going down to the wire.

The Magpies have become the best fourth quarter team in the league — and they’ll need to do it again to beat the Lions.

There has been some stunned reaction to the high drama.

“Everybody you speak to at half-time just feels blessed to be here. It’s been such a remarkable display of our game,” AFL commentator Gerard Whateley said on SEN.

Football journalist Peter Ryan posted on Twitter: “That first half was off its head. Brilliant goals, high marks, lead changes, close margin, two goals after the siren from the Magpies the difference right now. Not much else between the two teams.”

4.35pm – Umpire decision is ‘bananas’

The grand final has remained on a knife’s edge in the third quarter with the lead changing multiple times.

The biggest drama came mid-way through the third term when Josh Daicos got away with mongrel punt that appeared to land outside the boundary line.

“That’s out on the full,” Geelong champion Patrick Dangerfield said as an on-field commentator on Seven.

“That was out of bounds. There is no doubt about it.

“If Brian (Taylor) was down here, he would be going bananas with that call.”

4pm – Nick Daicos exposed as ‘fraud’

Collingwood’s Nick Daicos has received several contentious free kicks after appearing to duck into tackles.

The Magpies have previously been criticised for using the controversial diving act as a deliberate tactic to earn free kicks.

Daicos’ efforts on Saturday didn’t impress some footy fans.

“The too-high rule reverting back to its old interpretation. Lucky for Nick Daicos hey,” tweeted footy journo Ronny Lerner. 

Another fan wrote: “Daicos stop flopping you fraud”.

Collingwood need to get a physio out to check Daicos’s knees given how they seem to be regularly folding underneath him,” wrote another.

“Nick Daicos is clearly a protected species. Has anyone ever gotten more free kicks in a grand final?? I bet he sets a record today,” added a third.

AFL podcaster Matt Walsh also posted: “This has not been a great showing from Nick Daicos and raising his arm.”

Daicos kicked the first goal of the match after taking head high contact.

He finished the half with a team-high 19 disposals.

3.40pm — Lions take the lead in second quarter frenzy

Brisbane kicked five of the first six goals of the second quarter to open up a 13-point lead.

However Collingwood responded by tying it up at 50-50 when Bobby Hill kicked his third goal of the game.

3.20pm – ‘Absolutely devastating’: Collingwood star wiped out

Collingwood star Nathan Murphy has failed his head injury assessment and has been ruled out for the rest of the game.

The key defender took a shoulder blow directly to his head when competing for a loose ball.

He was immediately taken off the field over concussion protocols.

Richmond legend Matthew Richardson said on Channel 7: “That’s a nasty hit”.

Patrick Lipinski was activated as the sub.

“Absolutely devastating,” Channel 7’s Abbey Holmes said.

“Murphy head in hands, he has been ruled out of this one. Patrick Lipinski into the action.”

Brian Taylor said: “Wow. That is a huge call.”

2.55pm — Huge umpire drama

The heat is on the umpires after a series of controversial calls early in the Grand Final.

Nick Daicos, Eric Hipwood, Brayden Maynard and Dane Zorko were all involved in head high tackles — but only two were paid as free kicks.

While Matthew Richardson was happy with the one where Zorko leaned into a tackle and was collected over the shoulder — many others didn’t see it that way.

“You are kidding,” AFL legend Gerard Healy said on radio.

Kane Cornes also said: “You have to protect the man going for the ball.”

2.40pm – Collingwood strike first

Collingwood has come out the gates red hot and have slotted two goals in less than four minutes to take a 12-point lead.

Bobby Hill and Nick Daicos both slotted home goals from around 30m out. It is worrying signs for the Lions who conceded the first five goals against Carlton in the preliminary final last week.

2.15pm — KISS stuns Australia with Grand Final spectacle

KISS put on the biggest production the AFL Grand Final has ever seen — but many were far from impressed.

The iconic American rockers were the headline act before the AFL Grand Final and belted out their tunes from a stage in the centre of the MCG, after the show started with an orchestra staged on top of the roof of the venue.

The star-studded act bucked the trend of appearing to win over the majority of fans on social media — following on from Robbie Williams’ hit performance before the 2022 Grand Final.

The AFL was widely criticised for going with such an old-school act, but the veteran performers, led by rock god Gene Simmons, showed they were still capable of putting on a show for a live stadium audience.

You can read all the reaction to the performance here.

1.15pm – Lions star’s 1am sledge

Lions fullback Harris Andrews is rumoured to have been rocked by a 1am phone call while trying to sleep before Saturday’s Grand Final.

Hawks legend Luke Hodge — who finished his career with the Lions — said on Channel 7 on Saturday afternoon that Andrews was sledged by a mystery person who made just one comment before quickly hanging up the phone.

In a pre-match interview with the Channel 7 panel, Brisbane coach Chris Fagan appeared surprised by the news.

Hodge said later he wasn’t certain the rumour was true.

Hodge said Andrews answered the phone and heard: “You won’t take any intercept marks today”.

Host Hamish McLachlan was the one who dropped the news on Fagan.

“Did you hear about Harris Andrews,” he said.

“Apparently someone rang him at 1am and said, ‘You won’t be taking any intercept marks tomorrow’. And then they hung up again because they got the phone number through the hotel reception. Amazing to think the number would be given up.

It was well known the Lions were staying at the Pullman near the MCG.

1pm – Fev’s Longest Kick heartbreak

Cult former Lion and Blue Brendan Fevola, who kicked over 600 goals in a career that bagged him two Coleman Medals, has had his heart broken by his former teammate, recently retired Lion Daniel Rich.

The three-time All-Australian fell an agonising 10cm short of Rich’s 67.4m leading distance with his biggest kick.

Rich then proceeded to blow the competition out of the water with a 69.5m bomb, enough for the 33-year-old defender to take home the $10,000 prize.

Fevola’s heartbreak was on full display, holding his head in his hands and calling for a TV replay.

When his final kick fell short of Rich’s benchmark, Fevola had had enough, and jumped into the murky waters of the Yarra River in protest.

10.30am – Pies villain’s unusual preparation

Jack Ginnivan doesn’t seem too stressed about playing in his first Grand Final, with the Magpies youngster popping by the Moonee Valley races the night before the biggest game of his career.

Channel 7’s Mitch Cleary reported: “All sorts of players taking all sorts of different preparations for their first AFL Grand Final.

“Jack Ginnivan actually popping by the Moonee Valley races last night for an hour to watch a friend’s horse race. An interesting approach as he prepares for his first decider.”

Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly told Triple that the club had no qualms with Ginnivan being out at the races before the biggest game of his life.

“Ginni goes out, he loves his punting, loves his horses. Relaxed night,” Kelly said on Triple M.

“The other night we went to Vlados (restaurant) and had a lovely steak up there and he played one of the best games next week.

“He said we’ve got to do that every night Ned.

“I said I don’t know if that will sit in the soft cap.

“That’s how we roll now. Everyone just chill and relax.

“The players, let them do what they want.”

Ginnivan has been elevated into Collingwood’s starting team of 22 for the Grand Final, with Pat Lipinski named as the substitute.

10am – Wild scenes at MCG

Thousands of fans queued up outside the MCG in an effort to get a spot in the MCC’s unreserved seating area.

The game doesn’t start until this afternoon but many diehards camped out overnight, with massive lines forming before gates opened at 8am.

9.30am – Norm Smith medal panel revealed

The expert panel will be vote on the Norm Smith medal for the best player in the Grand Final has been revealed.

Jordan De Goey, Nick Daicos, Lachie Neale and Josh Dunkley are among the favourites to take out the prestigious medal.

Channel 7’s Luke Darcy will chair the panel, which also features legendary small forward Eddie Betts, Sydney Swans great Jude Bolton, 2018 Norm Smith winner Luke Shuey and AFL.com.au journalist Sarah Olle.

Originally published as ‘That is ridiculous’: Collingwood premiers after Grand Final robbery