- Collingwood has won the 2023 AFL premiership
- The Pies defeated Brisbane by just four points
- It is the 16th premiership won in their history
Collingwood are premiership winners after the Pies defeated Brisbane in a nail-biting match at the MCG.
Craig McRae’s side, the dominant force for much of the 2023 campaign, were forced to work for their 16th flag at a sun-drenched MCG as his former side the Lions pushed them all the way to the side on Saturday.
Collingwood held narrow leads at half-time and the three-quarter break, leading to a dramatic final term, but with history on their side they secured a historic victory in Melbourne.
The Pies are 15-0 ahead this season heading into the final term, while no team has lost a grand final since 1984 when they were ahead at three-quarter time.
Indeed, Collingwood ensured the record was not broken when Jordan de Goey put his side back in front after Charlie Cameron had sniffed the Lions in front, before Steele Sidebottom put the game past the Lions despite a late goal from Joe Daniher.
At the final siren, Pies captain Darcy Moore said: “It’s so surreal. I grew up supporting Collingwood, I was here in 2010 and it feels surreal.
‘There’s so much work that goes into it, so much has to go right, and we succeeded. Just incredible, it was fun to play and I’m sure it was fun to watch.
‘We said at half-time: ‘Jesus, what an incredible game to play’. Brisbane just kept coming at us, I can’t find the words for it.’
More to follow.
Collingwood are AFL premiership winners after the Pies defeated Brisbane Lions at the MCG
