AFL 2023: Eight match-ups that will decide the grand final

Footy is a team game, but which individual stars shine – and who can be shut down – will determine the 2023 premier. Here are the match-ups to watch.

The two best sides of 2023 will go head-to-head at the MCG on Saturday, and there will be head-to-head battles all over the ground that will go a long way to deciding the 2023 premier.

Here are some of the match-ups to keep an eye on when Collingwood and Brisbane clash on the biggest day of the year.

JOSH DUNKLEY v JORDAN DE GOEY

The big Brisbane recruit justified why the Lions went so hard for him last off-season with a fantastic job on Carlton captain Patrick Cripps in the preliminary final. Cripps had only 13 touches and while he did kick two goals, they were both from free kicks. Meanwhile, Dunkley had 23 disposals of his own. After probably his best game of his career in the win over GWS, with 34 disposals and 13 clearances, De Goey will be right in his sights in the grand final. Dunkley missed the last meeting between the two and the Lions will be hoping his discipline at stoppages can stop the Pies superstar from having an impact.

Jordan De Goey enhanced his reputation as a big-game player in the preliminary final. Picture: Michael Klein

BEAU McCREERY v KEIDEAN COLEMAN

If the wider footy world outside Brisbane didn’t know who Kiddy Coleman is, they do now after the win over the Blues. The silky smooth half-back was instrumental in the Lions’ comeback, with his pinpoint and at times audacious kicking with his left foot tearing the Blues apart. Carlton didn’t close him down, but you can bet that McCreery will not give Coleman the time he got at the Gabba. This could be a key battle given how much Coleman can set up the Lions from defence.

OSCAR McINERNEY v MASON COX

The Pies have turned to the big American as their lead ruck in the finals campaign so far and he will have a big test in the form of the Big O in the big dance. McInerney started the preliminary final slowly but was a big part in the Lions’ turnaround as he took over in the ruck and was able to kick two goals as well. The Lions will be hoping he can have a similar impact at the MCG.

Joe Daniher and Darcy Moore could stage a battle for the ages. Picture: Michael Klein

DARCY MOORE v JOE DANIHER

It could be one for the footy romantics if the two famous names line up on each other. Moore missed the last meeting between the two but looks primed to go to the Brisbane spearhead on Saturday. Daniher was big in the Lions’ second-quarter comeback with two goals, following his bag of five in the qualifying final. They are the big men of their respective sides and it’s set to be a massive battle between the two 200cm keys.

ISAAC QUAYNOR v CHARLIE CAMERON

If there is some cause for optimism for the Lions ahead of the decider it’s they have made the grand final with Cameron not really firing in September. He was quiet against Port Adelaide in the qualifying final and then had a shocker in the first half against the Blues, finishing with 1.3. The last time Cameron played the Pies and Quaynor he kicked four goals in the Lions’ round 23 win, so the Pies know all too well just how damaging he can be. That was a rare occasion this season that Quaynor lowered his colours and he will be desperate for redemption in the grand final.

Isaac Quaynor has done some big jobs for the Magpies. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Can Charlie Cameron turn it on in the biggest game of the year? Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

BRANDON STARCEVICH v JAMIE ELLIOTT

Elliott is a man who loves to step up on the big stage and win matches for the Pies. The Lions love using Starcevich to blanket the oppositions’ most damaging small forward. Something is going to have to give and which side wins this battle could go a long way to winning the match and the flag. Starcevich kept Elliott to one goal when matched up on him the last time the two sides played, but the Lions used a variety of players on the Pies star – who finished with three goals on the night. Will Brisbane give Starcevich more time on Elliott on Saturday?

JARROD BERRY v JOSH DAICOS

The Lions let Nick Daicos run free in round 4 and the decision was vindicated as while he had 38, Brisbane got the win at the Gabba. Collingwood rotated Daicos through all three lines against the Giants in his return game, so who actually plays on the young gun is still up in the air. On the wing, though, we could be in for a huge battle between brother Josh and Berry. Josh Daicos has been incredible for the Pies but Berry knows how to do a job on the wing. Last year he stopped Clayton Oliver at the MCG, albeit on the inside. Can he stop one of Collingwood’s big weapons on the outside?

Josh Daicos in action against the Lions in round 23. Picture: Michael Klein

TOM MITCHELL v LACHIE NEALE

Two Brownlow medallists and huge accumulators. Both will be looking to get plenty of the footy in the contest, but Mitchell could play more of a defensive role on the Lions star. Neale says his shoulder is fine after a minor scare against the Blues but expect the Pies to target it to try and gain any advantage. If Neale can be stopped in the midfield then that goes a long way to beating the Lions. Normally a ball winner, Mitchell could be the man do it.