MCG will play host to Saturday's AFL game between Collingwood Magpies and Brisbane Lions. The game kicks off at 2:30 pm with Collingwood Magpies heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Collingwood Magpies vs. Brisbane Lions game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday September 30, 2023 at 2:30 pm

Where: MCG

Bet: Bet On This Match HERE

Collingwood Magpies vs Brisbane Lions Odds

Collingwood Magpies vs Brisbane Lions Preview

For the first time since 2014, the Grand Final will be between the teams that finished first (Collingwood) and second (Brisbane) on the ladder.

We have the best teams all season, playing in the biggest game of the year and here’s hoping that the game on Saturday is one for the ages.

It’s fair to say that Collingwood has been the best team all season, but Brisbane has been the best team in recent weeks.

Collingwood has had an amazing season and is coming off a thrilling one-point win over GWS in a heart-stopping prelim.

The Pies have been no stranger to close finishes, all season long especially in finals.

Both of Collingwood’s qualifying and preliminary finals have been decided by a total of eight points.

In fact, seven of the last nine finals involving Collingwood have been decided by 15.5 points or less making not only the tri-bet a good value play (Either by 15.5 or less at $2.55) but can also give nightmare flashbacks to the Magpie army for games like the 2018 Grand Final, of which this stat dates back to.

What is also to the Pies advantage is where the Grand Final is being played – the MCG, Collingwood’s home ground, and a place where the Brisbane Lions have a little bit of a hoodoo happening at the moment.

As for the Brisbane Lions, they’ve rectified recent seasons of finals heartbreak and let downs with clinical displays getting the job done in a convincing matter in both of their home finals at the Gabba.

In regards to their MCG hoodoo, beating Collingwood on the last Saturday in September would be a pretty good way to shake it off.

The Lions did win a semi-final against the Demons there last season, but have lost their past three games at the ground, with the most recent being a one-point defeat also against Melbourne.

What is in the Lions’ favor is that they have beaten Collingwood in their past six matches, including a big win over the Pies back in Round 23 at Marvel Stadium where Charlie Cameron kicked four goals and Lachie Neale gathered 31 disposals with Chris Fagan and his men making a statement that they meant business come September.

Statistically, Brisbane is the best clearance team in the AFL, with an average of six more than their opponents each week.

The midfield of Hugh McCluggage, Lachie Neale, and Josh Dunkley is enough to take on the likes of Nick Daicos and Jordan DeGoey.

Brisbane managed to come back methodically from five goals down in the first quarter against Carlton last week and never looked scared.

Both Eric Hipwood and Joe Daniher seem to have gotten rid of most of their kicking yips up forward and Charlie Cameron can light up when he needs to.

This should be a close game, it should be a great game.

But the Lions are primed to win their fourth premiership as a merged club 20 years after their infamous threepeat.

On a selfish note, it’s also worth mentioning that we here at Neds have been sponsors of the Brisbane Lions since 2019 – and every season since they’ve made the finals.

We’d love nothing better for Chris Fagan, Lachie Neale, and Harris Andrews to be lifting the cup up at the MCG at around 5:30 on Saturday afternoon and we think they are going to do it.

Back the Brisbane Lions head to head to win the 2023 AFL Grand Final.

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