:2023 AFL Grand Final
{{good article}}
{{Short description|Australian rules football match}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox Australian rules football match
| year = 2023
| competition = AFL
| match_type = Grand Final
| image = 2023_AFL_Grand_Final.png
| ground_image = 23 grand final celebrations.jpg
| ground_imagesize = 300px
| caption = Celebrations at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, following the post-match presentation
| home = 50px
{{AFL Col}}
| home_abbr = COL
| away = 50px
{{AFL BL}}
| away_abbr = BL
| home_qtr1 = 4.4 (28)
| home_qtr2 = 9.9 (63)
| home_qtr3 = 10.15 (75)
| home_qtr4 = 12.18 (90)
| away_qtr1 = 3.0 (18)
| away_qtr2 = 9.3 (57)
| away_qtr3 = 11.5 (71)
| away_qtr4 = 13.8 (86)
| home_score =12.18 (90)
| away_score =13.8 (86)
| date = 30 September 2023, 2:30{{nbsp}}pm
| stadium = Melbourne Cricket Ground
| attendance = 100,024
| favourite = {{AFL Col}}
| winning_team = Collingwood
| umpire = Matt Stevic, Hayden Gavine, Simon Meredith, Robert Findlay
| coin_toss = {{AFL BL}}
| kick_end = Punt Road
| prematch = Kiss
William Barton & Jess Hitchcock
Mike Brady
| anthem = Kate Miller-Heidke
| halftime = Mark Seymour & The Undertow with Kate Miller-Heidke
| postmatch =
| norm_smith = Bobby Hill
| jock_mchale = Craig McRae
| network = Seven Network
| commentators =
| last = 2022
| next = 2024
|
}}
The 2023 AFL Grand Final was an Australian rules football match contested between the Collingwood Football Club and the Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, 30 September 2023. It was the 128th annual grand final of the Australian Football League (AFL), staged to determine the premiers for the 2023 AFL season. The match, attended by a capacity crowd of 100,024 spectators, was won by Collingwood by a margin of four points, marking the club's sixteenth VFL/AFL premiership and tying the record held jointly by Carlton and Essendon. Collingwood's Bobby Hill won the Norm Smith Medal as the player judged best on ground.
Background
{{see also|2023 AFL finals series}}
Collingwood came into the 2023 season after a one-point 2022 preliminary final loss to the Sydney Swans.{{cite news |title=AFL preliminary final 2022: Sydney Swans beat Collingwood Magpies |newspaper= The Guardian |first=Geoff |last=Lemon |date=17 September 2023 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2022/sep/16/afl-preliminary-finals-2022-sydney-vs-collingwood-live-scores-teams-swans-v-magpies-live-premiership-season-final-fixture-team-news-results-score-start-time-footy-updates-scg |access-date=30 September 2023}} They finished the season on top of the ladder in 2023 with an 18–5 win–loss record to claim the minor premiership for the twentieth time.{{cite web |title=AFL Season Ladder |publisher= AFL |url=https://www.afl.com.au/ladder?Competition=1&CompSeason=52 |access-date=30 September 2023}}{{cite web |title=Magpies minor premiers, Curnow wins Coleman |first=Daniel |last=Harris |date=27 August 2023 |website=worldinsport.com |url=https://worldinsport.com/afl-2023-round-24-magpies-minor-premiers-curnow-wins-coleman-farewell-buddy-giants-storm-into-finals-souvs-nine-goal-haul/ |access-date=30 September 2023}}{{cite web |title=Collingwood beats Essendon by 70 points to win AFL minor premiership ahead of Brisbane and Port Adelaide |publisher= ABC News |date=25 August 2023 |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-25/collingwood-beat-essendon-to-win-afl-minor-premiership/102769614 |access-date=30 September 2023}} They defeated Melbourne by seven points in the first qualifying final to progress to another preliminary final in which,{{cite web |title=Collingwood Magpies beat Melbourne Demons in AFL qualifying final at the MCG |first1=Dean |last1=Bilton |first2=Andrew |last2=McGarry |date=8 September 2023 |publisher=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-07/afl-qualifying-final-live-collingwood-vs-melbourne/102815216 |access-date=30 September 2023}} in another close game, they defeated Greater Western Sydney by one point.{{cite web |title=One point in it: Collingwood Pies down GWS Giants in a classic to grab GF berth |first=Sarah |last=Black |date=22 September 2023 |publisher=AFL |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1037104/one-point-in-it-collingwood-pies-down-gws-giants-in-a-classic-to-grab-gf-berth |access-date=30 September 2023}} Collingwood's last grand final appearance was the 2018 AFL Grand Final, which they lost to West Coast by five points.{{cite news |title=AFL grand final 2018: West Coast v Collingwood |newspaper= The Guardian |first=Alana |last=Schetzer |date=29 September 2018 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2018/sep/29/afl-grand-final-2018-west-coast-v-collingwood-live |access-date=30 September 2023}}
Brisbane also came into the 2023 season after a 2022 preliminary final loss, in their case being comprehensively beaten by eventual premiers Geelong by 71 points.{{cite news |title=Geelong book place in AFL grand final with thumping victory over Brisbane |newspaper= The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/sep/16/afl-prelimary-final-geelong-cats-brisbane-lions-report |via=Australian Associated Press |access-date=30 September 2023}} They qualified for the finals with a 17–6 win–loss record, finishing second on the ladder for the third time in five seasons.{{cite web |title=From Carlton and Sydney to Essendon and Port Adelaide – the AFL's form ladder after round 22 |first=Andrew |last=McGarry |date=15 August 2023 |publisher= ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-15/the-afl-form-ladder-after-round-22/102726166 |access-date=30 September 2023}} They beat Port Adelaide by 48 points in the second qualifying final to advance into another preliminary final,{{cite web |title=Ruthless Brisbane Lions rip through Port Adelaide Power to book prelim spot |publisher=AFL |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1027006/ruthless-brisbane-lions-rip-through-port-adelaide-power-to-book-prelim-spot |via=Australian Associated Press |first=Howard |last=Kimber |date=9 September 2023 |access-date=30 September 2023}} in which they came from five goals down in the first quarter to defeat Carlton by 16 points to make their first grand final appearance since the 2004 AFL Grand Final against Port Adelaide.{{cite web |title=Brisbane Lions Grand Final bound after ending Carlton Blues' dream |first=Michael |last=Whiting |date=23 September 2023 |publisher=AFL |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1038449/brisbane-lions-grand-final-bound-after-ending-carlton-blues-dream |access-date=30 September 2023}}
Collingwood was aiming to win its sixteenth flag to equal Carlton and Essendon for the most premierships in VFL/AFL history and win its first premiership since 2010.{{cite web |title=Collingwood's premiership line ups & history |date=28 September 2023 |publisher=Collingwood Football Club |url=https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/1442005/teams-premiership-line-ups-history |access-date=30 September 2023}} Brisbane was aiming to win its fourth flag after winning three in a row in 2001, 2002 and 2003.{{cite web |title=Brisbane Lions 2001–2003 |publisher= AFL Queensland |url=https://www.aflq.com.au/hall-of-fame/hall-of-fame-a-e/brisbane-lions-2001-2003/ |access-date=30 September 2023}} This was the third grand final meeting between Collingwood and Brisbane, the two clubs having met in 2002 and 2003.{{cite web |title=AFL Grand Final 2023: Stats preview, historic info in Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood match up, winning streak, 1st vs 2nd |work=Fox Sports |date=27 September 2023 |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-grand-final-2023-stats-preview-historic-info-in-brisbane-lions-vs-collingwood-matchup-winning-streak-1st-vs-2nd/news-story/5f2ce1a82c2ea3911d868681b4b4395f |access-date=30 September 2023}} In the 2023 home-and-away season, Brisbane beat Collingwood both home and away, defeating them 18.8 (116) to 11.17 (83) in round 4 at the Gabba, and then 19.10 (124) to 15.10 (100) in round 23 at Marvel Stadium.{{cite web |title=Mega-Preview: Collingwood Magpies v Brisbane Lions, the stats that matter, who wins and why |publisher=AFL |first=Dejan |last=Kalinic |date=30 September 2023 |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1041607/mega-preview-pies-v-lions-the-stats-that-matter-who-wins-and-why |access-date=30 September 2023}}
Collingwood opened as a slight favourite, with bookmakers offering odds of $1.77 for a Collingwood victory against Brisbane at $2.10 on the Monday before the match, and they quickly steadied to $1.75–$2.25 until the start of the match.{{cite web|first=Alex |last=Donnelly |date=25 September 2023 |access-date=25 September 2023 |publisher=CODE Bet |url=https://www.codesports.com.au/bet/afl/tips/2023-afl-grand-final-betting-who-do-the-early-odds-like/|title=2023 AFL Grand Final betting: who do the early odds like?}}{{cite web |title=2023 AFL Grand Final: Collingwood vs Brisbane betting odds, tips, multi picks, predictions |first=Jaymz |last=Clements |date=29 September 2023 |publisher=CODE Bet |url=https://www.codesports.com.au/bet/afl/tips/2023-afl-grand-final-mega-preview-collingwood-vs-brisbane-best-betting-odds-tips-multi-picks-and-predictions/?nk=1c585722530b8b71879133626d934e00-1696123169 |access-date=1 October 2023}} Brisbane's Lachie Neale won the 2023 Brownlow Medal in the week leading up to the game.{{cite web|title='I'm pretty rattled': Lion King Lachie wins second Brownlow |publisher=AFL |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1041543/brisbane-lion-king-lachie-neale-wins-second-brownlow-medal-in-thrilling-count-2023 |first=Nathan |last=Schmook |date=25 September 2023 |access-date=1 October 2023}}
Entertainment
Around 1:40pm, US rock band Kiss performed on-stage as the main pre-game entertainment, with support being provided by Indigenous performers William Barton and Jess Hitchcock. As per tradition, Mike Brady also performed before the match.{{cite web |title=AFL Grand Final |date= 29 September 2023 |publisher= 2023 Tickets, Dates, Times, Parade & Entertainment |url=https://www.melbournepoint.com.au/events/afl-grand-final/ |access-date=30 September 2023}}
The staging and production for Kiss was purportedly the biggest at an Australian sporting event ever outside of the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-30 |title=KISS blow fans away with stunning AFL grand final show |url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/kiss-blows-fans-away-with-afl-grand-final-show-c-12063472 |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=7NEWS |language=en}} The concert featured hundreds of children in Kiss make-up as well as elaborately coordinated pyrotechnics. Kiss's performance was generally well received by fans and critics, which included hits "I Was Made for Lovin' You", "Shout It Out Loud" and "Rock and Roll All Nite", although broadcaster Channel 7 was criticised for inadvertently cutting away from the guitar smash at the end of Kiss's set.{{Cite web |title=KISS lights up AFL Grand Final pre-match entertainment but Seven under fire for cutting away from guitar smash |url=https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/09/30/kiss-lights-up-afl-grand-final-pre-match-entertainment-but-seven-under-fire-for-cutting-away-from-guitar-smash/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=The Roar |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-09-30 |title=KISS blow fans away with stunning AFL grand final show |url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/kiss-blows-fans-away-with-afl-grand-final-show-c-12063472 |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=7NEWS |language=en}}
The half-time show featured Mark Seymour & The Undertow as well as Australian singer Kate Miller-Heidke, who, prior to the match, also performed the national anthem.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1030792/the-holy-grail-returns-to-the-mcg-at-the-2023-toyota-afl-grand-final|author=|date=13 September 2023|title=The Holy Grail returns to the MCG at the 2023 Toyota AFL Grand Final|publisher=AFL|access-date=23 September 2023}}
All times are in Australian Eastern Standard Time (GMT +10)
As their respective premiership cup ambassadors, Collingwood chose Peter Moore, the 1979 Brownlow Medalist with the club, while Brisbane chose Leigh Matthews, who coached the club to its three-peat from 2001 to 2003. Collingwood's win meant that Moore presented the trophy to his son Darcy, who was Collingwood's captain, in the post-match ceremony.{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Martin |title=Pies, Lions reveal premiership cup presenters ahead of GF |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1042976/pies-lions-reveal-premiership-cup-presenters-ahead-of-gf |publisher=Australian Football League |access-date=5 October 2023 |language=en |date=27 September 2023}} Mark Thompson presented Craig McRae with the Jock McHale Medal for being the winning coach.{{cite web|url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/craig-mcrae-drops-baby-bombshell-collingwood-triumph-afl-grand-final-082350990.html|title=Craig McRae drops baby bombshell after Collingwood triumph in AFL grand final|last=Goodwin|first=Sam|website=Yahoo Sport Australia|publisher=Yahoo|date=30 September 2023|access-date=4 October 2023}}
Match summary
The match was played in sunny and very warm conditions, reaching {{convert|29.7|C|sigfig=3}}.{{Cite web |title=Melbourne Daily Summaries |url=https://www.weatherzone.com.au/station/SITE/86338/daily-summaries |access-date=30 September 2023 |website=www.weatherzone.com.au }} There was a capacity crowd of 100,024 spectators, matching the 2022 AFL Grand Final.{{cite web |title=Sweet 16: Magpies outlast Lions in thrilling Grand Final |website=www.collingwoodfc.com.au |date=30 September 2023 |url=https://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/news/1444188/sweet-16-magpies-outlast-lions-in-thrilling-grand-final |access-date=30 September 2023}}
= First quarter =
Brisbane won the toss and kicked to the Punt Road end. Collingwood controlled the first seven minutes of play, recording the first four inside-50s and most early clearances. Nick Daicos scored the opening goal for Collingwood in the 5th minute after receiving a free kick after being tackled high by Ryan Lester.{{Cite web |title=Daicos' dream start with opening goal in Grand Final |url=https://www.afl.com.au/video/1045424/daicos-dream-start-with-opening-goal-in-grand-final |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=afl.com.au |language=en}} Collingwood won the ensuing centre clearance, with Beau McCreery passing to Bobby Hill on the lead, who took a mark and kicked a goal.
Brisbane kicked the next three goals: Zac Bailey kicked the first in the 11th minute, Lincoln McCarthy kicked the second in the 20th minute, and a second goal to Bailey gave Brisbane the lead for the first time in the 25th minute. Both of Bailey's goals were spectacular: the first came on the run near the boundary line at the 50-metre arc; and, for the second, Bailey smothered a free kick from Mason Cox at Brisbane's half-forward area and had then run forward to receive the handpass from Joe Daniher (who had recovered the smother); Bailey eluded two Collingwood players on the boundary line and then scored on a tight angle from 35 metres.
Collingwood finished the quarter with a strong hold on territory, recording the last seven inside-50s. Brody Mihocek kicked a goal from the boundary line in the 31st minute to restore Collingwood's lead, and Jordan De Goey kicked a 50-metre goal after the quarter-time siren to extend the lead. Collingwood 4.4 (28) led Brisbane 3.0 (18) at quarter time.{{cite news |title=AFL grand final 2023: Collingwood Magpies defeat Brisbane Lions – as it happened |first1=Courtney |last1=Walsh |first2=Jo |last2=Khan |date=30 September 2023 |newspaper= The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2023/sep/30/afl-2023-grand-final-collingwood-magpies-vs-brisbane-lions-live-updates-scores-results-squads-lineups-kickoff-time-mcg |access-date=30 September 2023}}File:De Goey mark.jpg's goal after the quarter-time siren gave Collingwood a 10-point lead at quarter time]]
Collingwood had the better of general play and territory, with 12 more inside-50s than Brisbane; however, due to some missed opportunities (contrasted with Brisbane's efficiency inside 50), led by only ten points. Brisbane half-back Keidean Coleman was a key figure, with 13 disposals and three intercept marks for the quarter to limit Collingwood's attack and launch Brisbane's rebound, while the Collingwood midfield was in strong form.{{cite web|url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/10/02/king-and-whateleys-quarter-by-quarter-norm-smith-medal-votes/|title=King and Whatley's quarter by quarter norm smith medal|date=30 September 2023|access-date=3 October 2023|author1=David King|author2=Gerard Whateley|publisher=SEN}}
Late in the quarter, Collingwood defender Nathan Murphy left the ground after a head knock in a ground contest with McCarthy. Although he passed a concussion test, he had blurred vision and a history of concussions, and he and the club elected to substitute him out of the game early in the second quarter.{{cite news|newspaper=Herald Sun|publication-place=Melbourne, VIC|title=Nathan Murphy's future could be in the hands of the AFL's medical concussion panel|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/nathan-murphys-future-could-be-in-the-hands-of-the-afls-medical-concussion-panel/news-story/a4677153ac6fb14c209b89b03e661e21|date=9 October 2023 |author=Mark Robinson}} It was ultimately the end of Murphy's AFL career; he remained with Collingwood through the off-season, but medically retired early in the 2024 season without playing another game due to his concussion history.{{cite web|url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1110220/collingwood-magpies-defender-nathan-murphy-retires-due-to-concussion|title=Murphy ponders next move after retiring on concussion advice|author=Josh Gabelich|date=16 April 2024|accessdate=16 April 2024|publisher=Australian Football League}}{{Cite web |title=MSN |url=https://www.msn.com/ |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=www.msn.com}}
= Second quarter =
A strong opening by Brisbane saw it win the first four clearances, the first four inside-50s, and score two goals before Collingwood registered a disposal: the first goal was by Charlie Cameron after only 30 seconds, and the second by Hugh McCluggage was in the 3rd minute, giving Brisbane back the lead. Hill kicked a goal for Collingwood in the 6th minute, and then Cameron kicked his second goal in the 8th minute.
Collingwood had the best of the attack over the next few minutes, but they managed only three behinds to level the scores. Brisbane then kicked two goals in the next five minutes—the first by Daniher in the 17th minute after a Collingwood turnover, and the second by McCarthy in the 20th minute. At this point, Brisbane had opened a game-high 13-point lead and kicked five goals to one for the quarter.
Collingwood then had the better of time on. With the next five inside-50s, Collingwood kicked 2.2 to regain the lead: the first goal by Jack Crisp in the 22nd minute from a 50-metre set shot, and the second in the 25th minute by Hill from 30 metres after taking a one-on-one speckie over opponent Brandon Starcevich. After both teams scored a behind, Hill scored another goal in the 31st minute—his fourth for the game—after crumbing his own spilt marking contest, giving Collingwood a six-point lead. Each team scored one more goal—Daniher from a 25-metre set shot in the 33rd minute, and Crisp from a 40-metre set shot after the final siren.
With eleven goals kicked in a high-scoring quarter which lasted 35½ minutes, Collingwood led 9.9 (63) to Brisbane 9.3 (57) at half-time. Hill's three second-quarter goals were pivotal to Collingwood's fightback, while Coleman continued to be influential for Brisbane at half-back; additionally, midfielders McCluggage (Brisbane) and Tom Mitchell (Collingwood) had influential quarters with several score involvements.
= Third quarter =
After the high-scoring spectacle of the first half, both teams tightened up defensively and played a more cautious kick-and-mark game, resulting in lower scoring. The first ten minutes of the quarter saw three behinds to Collingwood and one behind to Brisbane before the first goal was kicked by McCluggage from a mark on the wing and a 50-metre penalty against Oleg Markov for incorrect manning of the mark. Brisbane scored another goal in the 20th minute when Deven Robertson got on the end of a defensive rebound chain to kick a goal from the goal square and give Brisbane a three-point lead. After six behinds from eight inside-50s for the quarter, Scott Pendlebury scored Collingwood's only goal of the quarter at the 27th minute from a 35-metre set shot.
Brisbane scored 2.2 to Collingwood's 1.6 for the quarter, and Collingwood’s score of 10.15 (75) took them to a four-point lead into three-quarter time against Brisbane 11.5 (71). Crisp had a strong quarter for Collingwood, with nine disposals and three intercept marks, while McCluggage and Mitchell continued to be strong for their respective teams in the midfield.
File:Jack Crisp 2018.2.jpg was among Collingwood's best players]]
= Final quarter =
A tense stalemate ensued for much of the final quarter; it took almost twenty minutes for the first goal to be scored, with Collingwood kicking three behinds in the first six minutes, and Brisbane kicking three behinds over the following ten minutes.
In the 19th minute, a spilled marking contest in front of goal was roved by Cameron, who kicked a goal from the top of the goal square—his third goal of the game—to give Brisbane a two-point lead. Collingwood responded with two goals in the next minute of game time to take a ten-point lead: first, Collingwood won the ensuing centre clearance forward, which ended with De Goey kicking a goal on the run from 50 metres in the 21st minute; then, after the subsequent broken centre clearance ended with a mark to Steele Sidebottom on the wing and a 50-metre penalty against Jarrod Berry for dragging him down after the mark, Sidebottom kicked a set shot goal from 50 metres out.
With 4½ minutes of game time remaining and leading by ten points, Collingwood went into defensive mode and began clock management. With just over 90 seconds remaining, McCluggage received a handball deep in the right forward pocket; under opponent pressure, he barely managed to keep the ball in play and then deliver a centering kick to Daniher, who kicked his third goal to reduce the margin to four points.{{Citation |title=The Last Two Minutes of Collingwood's Premiership Victory 🏆 | date=30 September 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKYdpc7tVtY |access-date=2023-10-17 |language=en}} Brisbane won the ensuing centre clearance; and, with 79 seconds remaining, Lachie Neale received a free kick 60 metres from goal, but a quick advantage was controversially paid as Bailey scrubbed a kick inside 50 from the continuous play, resulting in a turnover, and the opportunity was lost.{{Cite web |title=Fagan's take on 'ridiculous' call that cruelled Lions |url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/afl/grand-final-2023-brisbane-lions-coach-chris-fagan-ruing-two-post-siren-goals-in-loss-to-collingwood/9f21c08c-8a0e-4eda-814b-14a0a2ebc40d |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=wwos.nine.com.au |date=30 September 2023 |language=en}} Collingwood won possession at half-back from a high tackle paid to Tom Mitchell at the final stoppage with 38 seconds remaining, and Collingwood ran down the clock to win. Collingwood 12.18 (90) defeated Brisbane 13.8 (86) by four points.
In an even final quarter in which both teams scored 2.3 (15), Scott Pendlebury had eleven key disposals for Collingwood, while Brisbane defender Harris Andrews—who had been quiet until three-quarter time—was influential in rebound with nine disposals, six intercept marks and one touching of a ball through for a behind.{{cite news|newspaper=Herald Sun|publication-place=Melbourne, VIC|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/forget-the-haters-why-billy-frampton-played-the-game-of-his-life-on-grand-final-day/news-story/eddcccf55d0c14130083875ee1705a9c|date=2 October 2023|accessdate=6 October 2023|title=Forget the stats sheet, Billy Frampton played the game of his life on grand final day|author=Mark Robinson}}
= Overall =
Despite the close scoreline, Collingwood overall had the better of the game, winning several key statistical match-ups, including disposals (340–308), inside-50s (57–43), scoring shots (30–21), marks inside-50 (12–5), and tackles (73–53). Brisbane had the advantage in clearances (44–38).{{cite web|url=https://www.lions.com.au/matches/5888#team-stats|title=Grand Final • Collingwood v Brisbane Lions Team Stats|access-date=3 October 2023|publisher=Australian Football League}} Scoring was largely dominated by smaller forwards and midfielders, with Joe Daniher the only key-position forward to have a significant scoreboard impact. Even though Collingwood's score tally looked wasteful at 12.18 (90), both teams were above average for goalkicking accuracy, with an expected score of 82–68 in Collingwood's favour based on the league average for the quality of shots taken at goal. {{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/aflxscore/status/1708090135873753416?s=46&t=aQQQ93wKLYSDBHjzIbCaPg|date=30 September 2023|accessdate=4 October 2023|title=#AFLPiesLions Final xScores}}
Collingwood was able to manage faster ball movement, often by means of tap-ons, than Brisbane, which opted for more methodical ball movement.{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-10-01/cody-and-sean-2023-afl-grand-final-analysis/102921810|title=AFL grand final analysis: The data that shows how Collingwood claimed the 2023 premiership|date=1 October 2023|publisher=ABC|author1=Cody Atkinson|author2=Sean Lawson}} There was a significant shift in the style of play after half-time, with both teams tightening up and playing a more defensive game, and with most scoring chains originating from defensive rebounds—compared with the first half, when centre- and forward-line stoppages and turnovers were the main sources of scores.
The quality of the game as a spectacle was highly regarded by commentators. Damian Barrett called it "as close to perfection as footy gets"; Kane Cornes called it "the best game I've ever seen, let alone a grand final"; and Matthew Lloyd said it was the best grand final he'd ever witnessed,{{Citation |title=The panel unpacks the Magpies' premiership triumph in a Grand Final for the ages - Sunday Footy Show | date=30 September 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBZNBRKZsvk |access-date=2023-10-01 |language=en}} later revising his comment to say it was the best grand final he'd witnessed since 1989.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDnBbFxKXDg |title=Famous moments stars played through INSANE pain {{!}} Llordo's Deep Dive - Sunday Footy Show |language=en |access-date=2024-06-17}}
= Norm Smith Medal =
The Norm Smith Medal was won by Collingwood small forward Bobby Hill, who was a unanimous choice for best on ground by the voting panel. Hill kicked a career-best 4.2 with one goal assist from 18 disposals and six marks inside-50, including a memorable speckie in the second quarter, and he was a constant attacking threat for Collingwood.{{cite news|newspaper=The Age|publication-place=Melbourne, VIC|date=30 September 2023|access-date=3 October 2023|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/afl/bobby-hill-wins-the-norm-smith-medal-after-a-modern-day-classic-20230930-p5e8s5.html|title=From cancer to the Norm Smith Medal: Bobby Hill's grand final fairytale}} Hill was in his first season with Collingwood after four seasons with {{AFL GWS}}, and he had missed the second half of the 2022 season while treating and recovering from testicular cancer.{{cite web|url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/collingwood-bobby-hill-caps-off-remarkable-comeback-from-cancer-with-norm-smith-medal-c-12065656|title=Collingwood star Bobby Hill caps off remarkable comeback from cancer with Norm Smith Medal|date=1 October 2023|access-date=3 October 2023|publisher=7 News}}
Brisbane half-back Keidean Coleman finished second with five votes. Coleman's stats included 22 first-half disposals (the best first-half tally for either team), 23 kicks for the game (five clear of Collingwood's Jeremy Howe, who had the second-highest game total), and 585 metres gained, proving pivotal to Brisbane's rebound game, although he faded in the second half to finish with only 26 disposals in total.{{cite web|url=https://www.lions.com.au/matches/5888#timeline|date=30 September 2023|access-date=3 October 2023|title=Grand Final: Collingwood vs Brisbane Timeline|publisher=Australian Football League}} The remaining votes were polled by Collingwood midfielders: Nick Daicos (four votes, 29 disposals and a goal), Tom Mitchell (three votes, 24 disposals, 7 clearances), Jack Crisp (two votes, 25 disposals, two goals), and Scott Pendlebury (one vote, 24 disposals, 6 clearances).
| class="wikitable"
!Voter ! style="width:120px" |3 Votes ! style="width:120px" |2 Votes ! style="width:120px" |1 Vote |
| Luke Darcy (Chair, Triple M) |
|---|
| Eddie Betts (Fox Footy)
|Bobby Hill |
| Jude Bolton (Channel 7)
|Bobby Hill |Keidean Coleman |Tom Mitchell |
| Sarah Olle (AFL.com.au)
|Bobby Hill |Keidean Coleman |
| Luke Shuey (Previous Winner)
|Bobby Hill |Nick Daicos |Jack Crisp |
| class="wikitable"
!Player !Team !Votes !Total |
| Bobby Hill
|Collingwood |3,3,3,3,3 |15 |
| Keidean Coleman
|Brisbane |0,1,2,2,0 |5 |
| Nick Daicos
|Collingwood |2,0,0,0,2 |4 |
| Tom Mitchell
|Collingwood |0,2,1,0,0 |3 |
| Jack Crisp
|Collingwood |0,0,0,1,1 |2 |
| Scott Pendlebury
|Collingwood |1,0,0,0,0 |1 |
Other players among the best without polling Norm Smith Medal votes were as follows: for Collingwood, defender Jeremy Howe (nine marks, eight rebounds, and stepped up after Murphy's injury) and midfielder Steele Sidebottom (20 disposals); and for Brisbane, midfielders Hugh McCluggage (21 disposals, three goal assists) and Josh Dunkley (21 disposals, 5 clearances), and forwards Joe Daniher (16 disposals, three goals), Zac Bailey (two goals, six inside-50s) and Charlie Cameron (three goals).{{cite web|url=https://afltables.com/afl/stats/games/2023/041920230930.html|title=Collingwood vs Brisbane|publisher=AFL Tables|access-date=3 October 2023}}
Teams
The teams were announced on Thursday, 28 September. Collingwood made one change to its preliminary final 23: forward Daniel McStay was ruled out with a knee injury suffered in the preliminary final, and he was replaced by Billy Frampton. Brisbane made no changes to its preliminary final 23. Two players under injury clouds—Collingwood vice-captain Taylor Adams and Brisbane key defender Jack Payne, who had each played 23 games for the season but suffered low-grade injuries during the finals—were unable to regain their fitness and missed the game.{{Cite web |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/1043048/grand-final-teams-pies-ginnivan-call-big-lion-wont-start |last=Schmook |first=Nathan |date=28 September 2023 |title=GRAND FINAL TEAMS: Pies' Ginnivan call, big Lion won't start |access-date=2023-09-28 |publisher=AFL }}
Collingwood coach Craig McRae became a new father on the day of the match, his wife Gabrielle giving birth to a daughter at 7:45 am on the day of the match; the baby was named Maggie after the club nickname, the Magpies.{{cite web|url=https://au.sports.yahoo.com/craig-mcrae-drops-baby-bombshell-collingwood-triumph-afl-grand-final-082350990.html|title=Craig McRae drops baby bombshell after Collingwood triumph in AFL grand final|last=Goodwin|first=Sam|website=Yahoo Sport Australia|publisher=Yahoo|date=30 September 2023|access-date=4 October 2023}}
| width=92% | |
| {{Australian rules football kit
| pattern_b = _3whitestripes | pattern_sh = _whitesides | pattern_so = | body = 000000 | shorts =000000 | socks =000000 | title = Collingwood }} |{{Australian rules football kit | pattern_b = _fitzroylion | pattern_sh = _goldsides | pattern_so = _goldtop | body = 78174A | shorts = ffffff | socks = 78174A | title = Brisbane Lions }} |
| valign="top" |{{Aussie rules team|title=Collingwood|teamcolour=Col
| backpocket1 = 28 Nathan Murphy | fullback = 30 Darcy Moore (c) |backpocket2 = 38 Jeremy Howe | halfbackflank1 = 4 Brayden Maynard | centrehalfback = 17 Billy Frampton | halfbackflank2 = 3 Isaac Quaynor | wing1 = 22 Steele Sidebottom | centre = 10 Scott Pendlebury | wing2 = 37 Oleg Markov | halfforwardflank1 = 23 Bobby Hill |centrehalfforward = 41 Brody Mihocek |halfforwardflank2= 5 Jamie Elliott | forwardpocket1 = 31 Beau McCreery | fullforward = 2 Jordan De Goey | forwardpocket2 = 7 Josh Daicos | ruck = 46 Mason Cox | ruckrover = 35 Nick Daicos | rover = 25 Jack Crisp | interchange1 = 6 Tom Mitchell | interchange2 = 14 Darcy Cameron | interchange3 = 32 Will Hoskin-Elliott | interchange4 = 33 Jack Ginnivan | interchange5 = 1 Patrick Lipinski (sub) | interchange6 = | coach= Craig McRae{{cite web |title=AFL Grand Final 2023 teams: Full squads, ins and outs, substitutes, injuries, Collingwood vs Brisbane, Jack Payne, Pat Lipinski |work=Fox Sports |date=30 September 2023 |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-grand-final-2023-teams-full-squads-ins-and-outs-substitutes-injuries-collingwood-vs-brisbane-jack-payne-pat-lipinski/news-story/49c1f333609ea93c2f9f853fbfeddd1a |access-date=30 September 2023}}}} | valign="top" |{{Aussie rules team|title=Brisbane Lions|teamcolour=BL | backpocket1 = 37 Brandon Starcevich | fullback = 31 Harris Andrews (c) | backpocket2 = 27 Darcy Gardiner | halfbackflank1 = 26 Conor McKenna | centrehalfback = 35 Ryan Lester | halfbackflank2 = 18 Keidean Coleman | wing1 = 6 Hugh McCluggage | centre = 5 Josh Dunkley | wing2 = 15 Dayne Zorko | halfforwardflank1 = 23 Charlie Cameron | centrehalfforward = 30 Eric Hipwood | halfforwardflank2 = 4 Callum Ah Chee | forwardpocket1 = 16 Cameron Rayner | fullforward = 3 Joe Daniher | forwardpocket2 = 33 Zac Bailey | ruck = 46 Oscar McInerney | ruckrover = 9 Lachie Neale (c) | rover = 7 Jarrod Berry | interchange1 = 2 Deven Robertson | interchange2 = 11 Lincoln McCarthy | interchange3 = 28 Jaspa Fletcher | interchange4 = 44 Darcy Wilmot | interchange5 = 17 Jarryd Lyons (sub) | interchange6 = |coach=Chris Fagan}} |
=Umpires=
The umpiring panel, comprising four field umpires (the first grand final to do so), four boundary umpires, two goal umpires and an emergency in each position, was announced on Wednesday, 27 September. Appointed to his eleventh grand final, Matt Stevic became the outright VFL/AFL record holder for most grand finals umpired.{{Cite web |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-grand-final-umpires-2023-week-four-appointments-afl-news-collingwood-vs-brisbane-lions-umpires-matt-stevic-hayden-gavine-robert-findlay/news-story/a412cbffcea620e0ce0f1030736e80ac?fbclid=IwAR34FJYnERpeXW_jpd6Mh_AqwZYDpYcSOk6vH19HK2-2btXqk-avZBwJvqE |last=Waterworth |first=Ben |date=2023-09-27 |title=Matt Stevic to break 101-year record, two debutants named as AFL Grand Final umpires revealed |access-date=27 September 2023 |website=Fox Sports Australia }}
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
|+2023 AFL Grand Final umpires !Position ! ! ! ! ! rowspan="4" | !Emergency |
| class="table-rh" {{rh}} |Field:
| 9 Matt Stevic (11) | 14 Hayden Gavine (1) | 21 Simon Meredith (8) | 23 Robert Findlay (1) | 12 Andrew Stephens |
| class="table-rh" {{rh}} |Boundary:
| Ian Burrows (10) | Christopher Gordon (7) | Matt Tomkins (5) | Michael Barlow (2) | Matthew Konetschka |
| class="table-rh" {{rh}} |Goal:
| Adam Wojcik (5) | Angus McKenzie-Wills (1) | | | Brodie Kenny-Bell |
Numbers in brackets represent the number of grand finals umpired, including 2023.
Scoreboard
{{AFLGameDetailed|title=Grand Final
|date=Saturday, 30 September (2:30 pm)
|home team={{AFL Col}}
|home Q1=4.4 (28)
|home Q2=9.9 (63)
|home Q3=10.15 (75)
|home final=12.18 (90)
|home goals= Hill 4, Crisp 2, De Goey 2, N. Daicos, Mihocek, Pendlebury, Sidebottom
|home best=Hill, N. Daicos, Crisp, Howe, Mitchell, Pendlebury
|home injuries=Murphy (concussion)
|home reports=
|winner=H
|away team={{AFL BL}}
|away Q1=3.0 (18)
|away Q2=9.3 (57)
|away Q3=11.5 (71)
|away final=13.8 (86)
|away goals= Cameron 3, Daniher 3, Bailey 2, McCarthy 2, McCluggage 2, Robertson
|away best= McCluggage, Daniher, Coleman, Andrews, Bailey, Cameron
|away injuries=
|away reports=
|venue= 16px Melbourne Cricket Ground
|crowd=100,024
|report=[https://www.afl.com.au/afl/matches/5888#match-report Report]
|umpires=Stevic, Gavine, Meredith, Findlay
|BOG award=Norm Smith Medal
|BOG winner=Bobby Hill
|broadcast=Seven Network
|anthem=Kate Miller-Heidke
|notes=
- Collingwood's 16th VFL/AFL premiership, tying {{AFL Car}}'s and {{AFL Ess}}'s joint record.}}
Media coverage
=Television=
Seven's coverage began at 9{{nbsp}}am AEST with the Grand Final Brunch, followed by the Grand Final Countdown from 10:30{{nbsp}}am. Pre-match coverage began from 12{{nbsp}}pm.{{cite web |title=Watch AFL grand final on its 7plus, start time, pre-game and half-time entertainment, performers including KISS |date= 29 September 2023 |publisher= 7NEWS |url=https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/watch-the-afl-grand-final-on-seven-and-7plus-c-12043427 |access-date=30 September 2023}} The match was commentated by James Brayshaw, Brian Taylor, Luke Hodge, Matthew Richardson, Abbey Holmes and Patrick Dangerfield. The television audience was 4.98 million on conventional television and 756,000 on its 7plus streaming service, for a total of 5.736 million.{{Cite web |last=Hope |first=Shayne |date=2023-10-01 |title=AFL grand final ratings fall short of Matildas |url=https://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/8370077/afl-grand-final-ratings-fall-short-of-matildas/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=The Wimmera Mail-Times |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-01 |title=AFL grand final ratings fall short of Matildas |url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/afl-grand-final-ratings-fall-044741822.html |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-AU}}{{Cite web |last=Ryan |first=Aaron |date=2023-10-01 |title=Ratings {{!}} Seven's AFL Grand Final goes sky high - TV Central |url=https://tvcentral.com.au/ratings-sevens-afl-grand-final-goes-sky-high/ |access-date=2023-10-01 |language=en-AU}}
Fox Footy's coverage, simulcast on Kayo Sports, began at 9{{nbsp}}am with the annual North Melbourne Grand Final Breakfast. Fox Footy televised its own Grand Final Day coverage, including the annual Fox Footy Longest Kick, which was won by Brisbane's Daniel Rich with a kick of {{convert|69.5|m|ft}}.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-30 |title='Who does that?!' Lions' dream GF build-up, Fev bombs into Yarra in wild Longest Kick |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/fox-footy-longest-kick-2023-live-start-time-afl-grand-final-2023-fox-footy-longest-kick-live-coverage-how-to-watch-list-of-kickers/news-story/a314601be634b7668cb666276944a432 |access-date=2023-10-01 |work=Fox Sports }}{{YouTube |title=Longest Kick 2023: Daniel Rich claims CHAOTIC victory as Fevola ends up in Yarra!? {{!}} Fox Footy |id=jbydgl7Mg0c }} Due to Seven's exclusive rights to the live broadcast, Fox Footy's coverage went dormant during the game; instead, they showed a replay of Seven's match coverage, broadcast at 6{{nbsp}}pm.{{cite web |title=Fox Footy |publisher= AFL |url=https://www.afl.com.au/matches/broadcast-guide/television-programs/fox-footy |access-date=30 September 2023}}{{cite news |newspaper=The Age |title=Who's commentating? TV, radio callers locked in for AFL grand final |date=27 September 2023 |first=Damien |last=Ractliffe |url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/who-s-commentating-tv-radio-callers-locked-in-for-afl-grand-final-20230926-p5e7r9.html |access-date=30 September 2023}}
=Radio=
| class="wikitable"
!Station !Region !Callers !Special comments !Boundary riders |
| Triple M
|National |Jason Dunstall, Nathan Brown, Ash Chua (statistician) |
| ABC Radio
|National |Corbin Middlemas, Clint Wheeldon |
| AFL Nation
|National |Andy Maher, Matt Hill |Dermott Brereton, Brad Johnson |Matthew Cocks |
| NIRS
|National |Barry Denner, Ron Rogers |Chris Egan, Sam Duncan (statistician) |N/A |
| 3AW
|Jacqui Reed |
| SEN
|Gerard Whateley, Dwayne Russell |Sam Edmund |
| K Rock
|Tom King, Ben Casanelia |Jason Doherty |
| 6PR
|Brad Hardie, Eddie Summerfield (statistician) |Jack Battrick |
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|www.afl.com.au}}
{{2023 Collingwood premiership players}}
{{Collingwood Football Club}}
{{Brisbane Lions}}
{{2023 AFL season}}
{{Australian Football League}}
Category:2023 Australian Football League season