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Collingwood have hung on for a dramatic four-point win over the Brisbane Lions in a classic AFL grand final on Saturday, celebrating an equal-competition high 16th premiership.
Twenty years after the Lions inflicted premiership pain on the Magpies in the 2002 and ’03 grand finals, the Magpies could this time celebrate, posting a 12.18 (90) to 13.8 (86) win in front 100,024 fans.
Bobby Hill celebrates a Collingwood goal.Credit: Joe Armao
Dynamic small forward Bobby Hill booted four goals, while Nick Daicos, Jack Crisp and Tom Mitchell were superb. Midfielder Hugh McCluggage and rebounding half-back Keidean Coleman were among the Lions’ best.
The Magpies sealed victory with late goals from Jordan De Goey and veteran Steele Sidebottom, the latter prospering from a 50-metre penalty, taking him to the 50m line, for a free kick against Jarrod Berry. Scott Pendlebury was enormous in the final term, helping to engineer a famous win.
The Magpies now join fellow Victorian power clubs Carlton and Essendon with the most VFL-AFL premierships.
The victory caps a remarkable two years under coach Craig McRae, who in his first season in charge led the Pies all the way to the preliminary final where they lost by one point to Sydney.
There was disappointment for Nathan Murphy when the Magpies’ defender failed a concussion test and was subbed off early in the second term. He was replaced by Patrick Lipinski.
In an enthralling first half, the Magpies led by four points at the main break, the two sides combining for 11 goals in the second term alone.
With temperatures topping 30 degrees, both teams struggled to generate run in the second half. The Magpies led by four points at the final change, and hung on to win.
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