The Brisbane Lions have booked their place in the 2025 AFL Grand Final, convincingly defeating the Collingwood Magpies by 29 points at the MCG.

The preliminary final win means Brisbane will go into a third Grand Final in as many years, and will take on Geelong, whom they were defeated by in the Second Qualifying Final two weeks ago.

Hugh McCluggage was once again a beast for the Lions in the midfield, racking up 37 disposals, 10 clearances and eight marks as the early tag from Collingwood veteran Steele Sidebottom was broken with ease.

A second-quarter flurry from the Magpies put the game on their terms, kicking six in a row, but the Lions poise held them in good stead as they slowly but surely chipped away at the 14-point deficit, eventually overrunning the Pies in a blistering seven-goal third quarter.

Collingwood had their chances in the final quarter to reduce the margin, getting as close as two goals, but superb defensive efforts from Brandon Starcevich and Harris Andrews prevented the Magpies from encroaching any closer on Brisbane's lead.

Re-live all the action from our live blog coverage below!

MATCH STATS >>> COLLINGWOOD VS BRISBANE MATCH CENTRE

Magpies vs Lions LIVE:

 2025-09-20T07:15:00Z 
Brisbane WON BY 29 POINTS
MCG
COLL   
71
FT
100
   BL
    #AFLPiesLions
MATCH CENTRE ▶︎   

FULL TIME

Collingwood: 11.5 71
Brisbane: 15.10 100

 

0:46 - BEHIND: A consolation score for Beau McCreery but it's over. Brisbane to the Grand Final!

3:16 - GOAL: Zorko has his moment and the Lions go up six goals.

5:29 - GOAL: Kai Lohmann pokes the ball over the goal line with his toe and seals the deal for Brisbane! 30-point game.

6:13 - GOAL: Ty Gallop has announced himself on the AFL's biggest stage, taking a huge pack mark and drilling his third goal of the game to almost certainly send Brisbane to a third straight Grand Final!

8:24 - GOAL: The Lions go end-to-end and find Charlie Cameron on the lead 30 metres out. He kicks truly and it's a three-goal game!

9:27 - DEFENCE: An unbelievable spoil from Starcevich prevents an all but certain goal for the Magpies, avoiding any contact with Elliott!

12:20 - CROWD: The Magpies and Lions armies can't outdo the Cats-Hawks crowd from Friday night, but still combine for an insane 96,023 spectators!

12:20 - GOAL: A sneaky late boot from the outstretched Cox pokes the ball over the line and Collingwood are right back in this game! 12 points the difference.

13:21 - MISSED CHANCE: The Magpies are given a late advantage call by the umpires and Sidebottom doesn't steady with an uncontested kick toward goal inside 50, the shot spraying wide left out on the full.

14:41 - BEHIND: There hasn't been much space to begin this final quarter as the stakes of every possession skyrocket but a misjudged spoil attempt from Brayden Maynard gives Rayner a kick from 25 metres out. He misses to the right-hand side.

20:00 - INJURY UPDATE: Both Josh Dunkley and Kai Lohmann left the field with ankle concerns during the third term, but have been given the okay to return to the field for the final quarter.

Three-Quarter Time

Collingwood: 9.4 58
Brisbane: 11.9 75

0:20 - GOAL: Rayner takes another mark inside 50 and threads the ball through the big sticks from the 40-metre set shot.

3:17 - BEHIND: Membrey can't kick his third against the flow of the game, but it's back to just 11 points separating the most recent two premiers.

6:38 - GOAL: Will Ashcroft is built for September football, kicking his second goal for the match in a small window of space following the stoppage inside 50.

7:27 - BEHIND: Important point for the Lions. Rayner takes a strong grab in the left forward pocket thanks to another superb delivery from Darcy Wilmot and increases the margin back to one goal with a point.

9:10 - BEHIND: Wilmot and Marshall link up along the wing for the Lions and deliver a kick to Kai Lohmann but his snap for goal from the set shot is poor.

10:52 - BEHIND: Steele Sidebottom flings a kick toward goal but an unfortunate bounce sees the ball spill left of the goals and for a minor score.

11:38 - GOAL: Elliott takes a strong mark on the lead ahead of Brandon Starcevich and notches his third for the game as the see-saw affair continues.

12:17 - GOAL: Hugh McCluggage takes advantage following an infringement in the marking contest and kicks the major, though Howe is millimetres from touching the ball on the way past. McCluggage is now up to 31 disposals for the match.

13:15 - GOAL: An Elliott screamer in the goal square brings the Pies crowd alive and he can't miss from there. It's back to a five-point game.

13:50 - INJURY CONCERN: Josh Dunkley has headed to the rooms with what appears to be a knee concern.

14:00 - GOAL: Rayner is in the right spot at the right time, as the fall of the Sherrin lands in his lap after a marking contest. He composes himself and kicks truly to put the Lions up 11.

14:53 - BEHIND: The Pies go end-to-end but De Goey's launch from 50 metres out falls short and is spoiled over thanks to a diving effort by Ryan Lester.

16:42 - BEHIND: The Lions are in control of territory through the opening few minutes but Will Ashcroft can't convert this time, his snap going right.

17:28 - GOAL: A crafty gather from Oscar McInerney results in a feed to Ty Gallop, who kicks his second of the match. Lions back in front, they lead by 5.

18:57 - GOAL: Will Ashcroft launches a kick from 50 metres out and scores. All of a sudden it's back to one point!

19:21 - GOAL: Zac Bailey receives the footy off hands in congestion and boots a goal from close range out of the stoppage.

HALF TIME

Collingwood: 7.1 43
Brisbane: 4.6 30

0:57 - BEHIND: Charlie Cameron gets an opportunity from the right forward pocket but his snap set shot drifts too far wide and is spoiled over for a minor score.

2:11 - GOAL: Dan Houston drills an incredible goal from the boundary line near 50 metres out and the Magpies have kicked SIX straight.

2:49 - GOAL: The Magpies are handed a goal following two successive 50-metre penalties. Membrey slots it from 15 metres out directly in front.

5:14 - SUB: Jarrod Berry won't return to the game following the incident that hurt his shoulder as Bruce Reville enters the match as sub.

5:59 - GOAL: The Pies have fought their way back and hit the front following a Patrick Lipinski goal from the goal square.

7:59 - INJURY: Jarrod Berry appears to have dislocated his left shoulder while trying to tackle Nick Daicos. It is the same shoulder that was injured against Fremantle in Round 23. More to come.

9:17 - GOAL: Three in a row for Collingwood! Zorko gets overzealous hunting the loose footy, giving away a high-tackle on Schultz, who converts from 25 metres out.

11:59 - GOAL: Membrey redeems himself following a dangerous kick from Dayne Zorko which didn't pay off, setting up the Magpies chance. It's back to a 10-point game!

13:55 - CHANCE: Collingwood go end-to-end with clinical foot skills, ultimately finding Tim Membrey in the right forward pocket. His banana attempt is poor, however, and there's no score.

17:13 - BEHIND: A crafty tap from Cam Rayner sets up a running shot for Bailey but he pushes the ball left.

17:29 - GOAL: Jamie Elliott gets behind the Lions defence and strolls into an open goal, kicking a much needed major for the Pies.

18:01 - BEHIND: A patch of contested footy eventually sees the Sherrin fall to Charlie Cameron but he can't work the ball back enough and it sails right side of the goals.

Quarter Time

Collingwood: 1.1 7
Brisbane: 4.3 27

1:31 - BEHIND: A deep forward 50 entry for Brisbane is knocked over the goal line by Billy Frampton.

3:20 - STAT: McCluggage is getting the better of Steele Sidebottom's tag attempt, leading the game with eight disposals and two clearances.

5:37 - GOAL: Brisbane kick their fourth in a row via youngster Ty Gallop, his crumb of the loose footy inside 50 and snap extending the Lions lead to 19.

6:55 - GOAL: Logan Morris takes a flying mark ahead of Darcy Moore and converts with a snap from the set shot in the pocket, though the carry of the ball looked worrysome for a brief moment.

9:49 - GOAL: A crunching tackle from Zac Bailey on Nick Daicos wins a free kick and his shot from 15 metres out is true. Tensions rise following as Bailey gets into Mason Cox.

12:42 - BEHIND: Charlie Cameron's 50-plus-metre launch falls a metre shot and is rushed over but the Lions are locking the ball inside their front half. Lions take their first lead of the match.

13:31 - GOAL: Josh Dunkley creates a seven-point play for Brisbane, intercepting the Pies kick in from the behind to get the Lions their first major.

14:00 - BEHIND: Logan Morris can't convert for six points but gets Brisbane's first score of the match.

14:15- SUB: Scott Pendlebury's day is done, medically substituted from the match with a lower leg concern. Roan Steele enters the game for Collingwood.

14:54 - GOAL: Mason Cox wins a free kick inside 50 and makes the Lions pay, letting Dayne Zorko know about his mistake immediately.

17:17 - BEHIND: De Goey collects the ball from the hitout but his snap misses.

17:43 - STAT: Collingwood's pressure has been elite early as the footy stays hot, laying four tackles inside 50 already.

20:00 (remaining) - COIN TOSS: Collingwood have won the coin toss and will kick to the City End.

Pre-Game

Collingwood enter this fixture as favourites, with the Lions midfield depleted due to injury.

Brisbane have made no changes to their semi-final lineup while the Magpies have brought back key defender Jeremy Howe, with the club confident he is fully healthy following a groin strain he sustained in Round 24. Collingwood have omitted Wil Parker in his place.

Mid-season draftee Roan Steele will start as sub for the Magpies while Brisbane have named Bruce Reville as their 23rd man.

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