Mick Malthouse assesses the coaching battle in the 2023 grand final

The mind games kicked off well before the game, and AFL legend Mick Malthouse says it was Craig McRae who got the better of Chris Fagan on Saturday with some shrewd moves.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Lions coach Chris Fagan is acknowledged by Magpies coach Craig McRae during the 2023 AFL Grand Final match between Collingwood Magpies and Brisbane Lions at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on September 30, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

The mind games began before the first bounce.

Three-time premiership Lion, Collingwood coach Craig McRae, moved his king pawn two spaces with the surprise selections of Billy Frampton and Jack Ginnivan in the Magpies’ final 22 and Pat Lipinski as the sub. He also revealed his team early.

This was a deliberate move to shake his direct opponent, Chris Fagan. To make him question his own selections. If the Magpies are going small and fast, do we have the legs to counter it? Do I have time to change anything?

But, while Fagan hasn’t played or coached in an AFL grand final before, he’s had enough coaching experience to back himself, and his team in. By chance I ran into him on an early morning walk on Saturday, and he was remarkably calm, and very excited.

Taylor Adams’ failure to get up for the Pies was a far more significant omission than Dan McStay’s absence. His ability to win the ball, and his metres gained, was something that would have weighed heavily on McRae’s mind.

Likewise, Fagan’s biggest issue, who to tag? Jordan De Goey or Nick Daicos?

Chris Fagan embraces Charlie Cameron after the loss. (Photo by Russell Freeman/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The conundrum was made greater with another McRae surprise – Nick Daicos’ starting at half-forward, pushing up as an extra on-baller, which had an immediate effect for the first goal.

Collingwood surged forward and controlled the ball with numbers through the corridor. It was the Pies’ backline structure – pushing up to create a wall across the halfway line – that forced Brisbane backwards, sideways, and any which way but forward.

But halfway through the first term the Lions regained some forward dash, their modus operandi to score on the run. Which indeed they did to take the lead.

In a typical arm wrestle though, it was short lived. The Pies, with fewer possessions, continued to stream forward with numbers and momentum, 19-7 inside 50s and a 10-point lead at quarter time was the result.

Needing to take Collingwood on by running at them and getting the ball over the top and out the back, Brisbane’s opening two majors of the second quarter were the direct outcome of centre clearances and manic forward movement. Clearly, a directive from Fagan.

Then all the sudden it was the Magpie defenders taking too long to kick the ball out of the Lions’ forward 50, which hurt them on the scoreboard.

But Joe Daniher’s spell in the centre ruck, to give Oscar McInerney a rest, was a mismatch against Mason Cox and the break McRae would have planned for.

Daniher’s slaughter put the ball in the hands of the Collingwood mids and they made Brisbane pay.

Joe Daniher played well forward but struggled in the ruck. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

It was the boost the Pies needed, a momentum shift handing them back the lead after it had stretched out to 13-points.

Bobby Hill, who beat every opponent Brisbane tried, turned on the magic to the delight of the Magpie Army. His four goals adding to the Magpies’ halftime lead.

Frenetic, contested, congested football, both ways, called for individual brilliance. It came in the form of Hill and Daicos in the first half. Fagan left to ponder how to stop them, after negating De Goey’s influence at the stoppages through Josh Dunkley, but allowing Daicos too much space.

The Brisbane coach also needed to reconsider his ruck relief options.

There’s no tomorrow in a grand final so he had to try anything and everything. He started by sending Brandon Starcevich to Hill, but resisted resting McInerney while Darcy Cameron replaced Cox in the middle.

Daniher’s value was on show around the ground with smart ball movement, while he still struggled against Cox in the ruck. Hill had the better of another opponent, with Starcevich unable to go with him on the lead.

But, as the battle in the middle intensified, the forwards at both ends were denied real opportunity.

Just four points in it at the third term break, it would all come down to instinct and who could battle best through the stress, the pain, and the heat.

Bobby Hill takes a screamer over Brandon Starcevich of the Lions. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Hill got the better of the usually reliable Lion Starcevich. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

As the Collingwood chant got louder the Pies’ backs got busier, but the Lions’ forwards failed to convert.

An important win for Starcevich in a one-on-one marking contest with Hill was the catalyst for Brisbane to keep working hard against a Collingwood structure that has held firm and won the close contests time and time again.

A Charlie Cameron clincher quickly answered by some De Goey brilliance, as he exerted his influence in a timely manner.

But with Daniher at his best in the Lions’ forward line, Brisbane remained in the game until, almost, the very end.

Nick Daicos working tirelessly, and still too free, got his hands on the ball when it counted.

His ball use, perfection. With De Goey, Scott Pendlebury, and Steele Sidebottom, Collingwood’s discipline and depth edged out Brisbane for the premiership cup.

Hill was a worthy Norm Smith medallist.

Craig McRae’s belief was rewarded. The Pies’ game plan triumphant.

Originally published as Mick Malthouse assesses the coaching battle in the 2023 grand final