‘That is ridiculous’: Collingwood premiers after Grand Final robbery

One of the greatest Grand Finals in AFL history has been tainted by a massively controversial moment where Brisbane was robbed.

Lachie Neale was tackled low. Photo: Channel 7.

Collingwood are premiers of the AFL after one of the greatest Grand Finals the game has known.

The footy world was treated to an insane spectacle as the lead changed 11 times throughout the match before the Magpies held on for a victory of high drama.

The premiership cup could so easily have gone Brisbane’s way.

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Charlie Cameron kicked a goal with five minutes remaining to put the Lions ahead, but Jordan De Goey stood up when it mattered by slotting a massive goal from outside the 50m arc to put the Pies back in front just seconds later.

Steele Sidebottom followed De Goey’s lead one minute later when he bombed home a goal from outside 50m following a 50m free kick.

De Goey puts the Pies back in front!

Back and forth we go, five minutes remaining #AFLGFpic.twitter.com/9s88bYLhpq

— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 30, 2023

The crowd of 100,024 were treated to an absolute thriller of high-quality football before everything changed in the fourth quarter as the nerves began to get the best of both teams.

The most controversial moment of the game arrived with just two minutes to play when advantage was called on the Lions after Lachie Neale and Zac Bailey were both tackled late after they’d released the ball near the edge of the centre square.

The ball dribbled free after Neale had earned a free kick when a Collingwood tackler wrapped around his ankles.

Bailey appeared to be clueless that the free kick had been paid.

Bailey was nowhere near being in a position to take advantage, surrounded by Collingwood players, and was immediately set upon by Magpies defenders.

Lachie Neale was tackled low. Photo: Channel 7.

Zac Bailey was immediately tackled. Photo: Channel 7.

The Lions clearly had no advantage, Photo: Channel 7.

Instead of having a chance to find a target inside fifty, Bailey’s rushed kick lobbed forward to a contest.

“That wasn’t a good advantage that one,” Channel 7’s Matthew Richardson said.

“That is ridiculous. They didn’t know it was their free kick.”

The ball went up the other end and Collingwood held on for a famous 12.18 (90) to 13.8 (86) win.

Scott Pendlebury was excited. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Good old Collingwood for ever. Picture by Jason Edwards

It looked like the Lions were going to pinch it after Joe Daniher’s late goal, but the umpire’s call to force the Lions to play on in the most pivotal section of play of the match will now be a dark chapter on an otherwise epic decider.

The footy world was full of condemnation for the umpire’s decision.

“That advantage call was an absolute shocker. Collingwood deserved winners, but wow that was awful,” Code Sport’s Lachlan McKirdy posted on Twitter.

ABC’s Paul Johnson posted: “Better team wins in Collingwood but that was rancid umpiring at the end. Brisbane Lions had no advantage to take.”

ESPN’s Kane Pittman posted: “The worst advantage call of all time at the worst possible time. Horrific call”.

Former Brisbane Lions captain Tom Rockliff wrote: “How is that advantage? Disgraceful. Lions robbed.”

While the incident has somewhat overshadowed the game, it hasn’t stopped the wild Collingwood celebrations around the MCG.

The Pies are celebrating the club’s 16th premiership.

6.30pm - Pies star booed after handshake snub

Collingwood star Beau McCreery has been slammed online over an awkward moment in front of millions at the AFL Grand Final presentation.

The 22-year-old appeared to snub a young fan handing him his medal after the Pies downed Brisbane in a nailbiter for the ages.

Collingwood star Beau McCreery has been slammed online over an awkward moment in front of millions at the AFL grand final presentation.

Fans immediately tore into the 22-year-old as he bolted away from the young boy holding his hand out for a handshake, running back to his teammates in celebration instead.

He appeared to realise his mistake when he got back to his teammates.

You can read all about the reaction to the awkward incident here.

6pm - Bobby Hill wins Norm Smith

Bobby Hill has won the 2023 Norm Smith Medal after an electric Grand Final display saw him lead Collingwood over Brisbane on Saturday afternoon.

The livewire forward was an unstoppable force at the MCG as he tore the Brisbane defence to pieces over the course of three hours.

Hill kicked four goals in the opening half and while he couldn’t add to his tally in the second half he was still the most damaging man in the forward half of the game.

You can read the full list of votes given here.

6pm - Collingwood captain’s classy comment

Premiership captain Darcy Moore was visibly emotional when speaking straight after the final siren.

“So surreal. I grew up a Collingwood supporter. I was here in 2010, 2003, 2002, in the stands and it feels surreal, it is just bizarre,” he said.

“So much work goes in for so long, so much has to go right to pull it off today. And we did it.”

Moore told Channel 7: “Just incredible. It was fun to play. I’m sure it was fun to watch.

“We said at halftime what an incredible game it is. Hill, unbelievable. Jordy’s goal. Steele’s goal, incredible and Brisbane were just unbelievable all day.

“They just kept coming at us. I’m lost for words.”

Meanwhile, Jordan De Goey declared it was “the greatest moment of my life”.

“I’ve been through so much shit with the media and everything … guys I absolutely love you … every single one of you (the crowd).”

5pm - Footy world blown away by Grand Final insanity

For the umpteenth time this season, Collingwood are going down to the wire.

The Magpies have become the best fourth quarter team in the league — and they’ll need to do it again to beat the Lions.

There has been some stunned reaction to the high drama.

Hugh McCluggage flexes. Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Down to the wire. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“Everybody you speak to at half-time just feels blessed to be here. It’s been such a remarkable display of our game,” AFL commentator Gerard Whateley said on SEN.

Football journalist Peter Ryan posted on Twitter: “That first half was off its head. Brilliant goals, high marks, lead changes, close margin, two goals after the siren from the Magpies the difference right now. Not much else between the two teams.”

This is Collingwood. Did you think we'd win easily? Nah. That's not us. Was always going to be close #GoPies#AFLGF

— Matt (@Mattys123) September 30, 2023

4.35pm - Umpire decision is ‘bananas’

The grand final has remained on a knife’s edge in the third quarter with the lead changing multiple times.

The biggest drama came mid-way through the third term when Josh Daicos got away with mongrel punt that appeared to land outside the boundary line.

Josh Daicos' kick was out. Photo: 7Plus.

“That’s out on the full,” Geelong champion Patrick Dangerfield said as an on-field commentator on Seven.

“That was out of bounds. There is no doubt about it.

“If Brian (Taylor) was down here, he would be going bananas with that call.”

4pm - Nick Daicos exposed as ‘fraud’

Collingwood’s Nick Daicos has received several contentious free kicks after appearing to duck into tackles.

The Magpies have previously been criticised for using the controversial diving act as a deliberate tactic to earn free kicks.

Daicos’ efforts on Saturday didn’t impress some footy fans.

Nick Daicos of the Magpies celebrates a goal. Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“The too-high rule reverting back to its old interpretation. Lucky for Nick Daicos hey,” tweeted footy journo Ronny Lerner. 

Another fan wrote: “Daicos stop flopping you fraud”.

Collingwood need to get a physio out to check Daicos’s knees given how they seem to be regularly folding underneath him,” wrote another.

“Nick Daicos is clearly a protected species. Has anyone ever gotten more free kicks in a grand final?? I bet he sets a record today,” added a third.

AFL podcaster Matt Walsh also posted: “This has not been a great showing from Nick Daicos and raising his arm.”

Daicos kicked the first goal of the match after taking head high contact.

He finished the half with a team-high 19 disposals.

3.40pm — Lions take the lead in second quarter frenzy

Brisbane kicked five of the first six goals of the second quarter to open up a 13-point lead.

However Collingwood responded by tying it up at 50-50 when Bobby Hill kicked his third goal of the game.

LINC MCCARTHY WOW!#AFLGFpic.twitter.com/3dQJuamLga

— AFL (@AFL) September 30, 2023

3.20pm - ‘Absolutely devastating’: Collingwood star wiped out

Collingwood star Nathan Murphy has failed his head injury assessment and has been ruled out for the rest of the game.

The key defender took a shoulder blow directly to his head when competing for a loose ball.

He was immediately taken off the field over concussion protocols.

Richmond legend Matthew Richardson said on Channel 7: “That’s a nasty hit”.

Heartbroken Nathan Murphy has been subbed out

Nathan Murphy of the Magpies leaves the field with trainers. Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

Patrick Lipinski was activated as the sub.

“Absolutely devastating,” Channel 7’s Abbey Holmes said.

“Murphy head in hands, he has been ruled out of this one. Patrick Lipinski into the action.”

Brian Taylor said: “Wow. That is a huge call.”

Nathan Murphy is coming straight off for assessment after this #AFLGFpic.twitter.com/yLINE8p3BU

— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 30, 2023

2.55pm — Huge umpire drama

The heat is on the umpires after a series of controversial calls early in the Grand Final.

Nick Daicos, Eric Hipwood, Brayden Maynard and Dane Zorko were all involved in head high tackles — but only two were paid as free kicks.

While Matthew Richardson was happy with the one where Zorko leaned into a tackle and was collected over the shoulder — many others didn’t see it that way.

“You are kidding,” AFL legend Gerard Healy said on radio.

Kane Cornes also said: “You have to protect the man going for the ball.”

2.40pm - Collingwood strike first

Collingwood has come out the gates red hot and have slotted two goals in less than four minutes to take a 12-point lead.

Bobby Hill and Nick Daicos both slotted home goals from around 30m out. It is worrying signs for the Lions who conceded the first five goals against Carlton in the preliminary final last week.

Nick Daicos of the Magpies celebrates after scoring the first goal. Photo by Robert Cianflone/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

2.15pm — KISS stuns Australia with Grand Final spectacle

KISS put on the biggest production the AFL Grand Final has ever seen — but many were far from impressed.

The iconic American rockers were the headline act before the AFL Grand Final and belted out their tunes from a stage in the centre of the MCG, after the show started with an orchestra staged on top of the roof of the venue.

Kiss performs on stage. Picture by Jason Edwards.

The star-studded act bucked the trend of appearing to win over the majority of fans on social media — following on from Robbie Williams’ hit performance before the 2022 Grand Final.

The AFL was widely criticised for going with such an old-school act, but the veteran performers, led by rock god Gene Simmons, showed they were still capable of putting on a show for a live stadium audience.

You can read all the reaction to the performance here.

1.15pm - Lions star’s 1am sledge

Lions fullback Harris Andrews is rumoured to have been rocked by a 1am phone call while trying to sleep before Saturday’s Grand Final.

Hawks legend Luke Hodge — who finished his career with the Lions — said on Channel 7 on Saturday afternoon that Andrews was sledged by a mystery person who made just one comment before quickly hanging up the phone.

In a pre-match interview with the Channel 7 panel, Brisbane coach Chris Fagan appeared surprised by the news.

Harris Andrews thanks Lions fans at the MCG. Picture Lachie Millard.

Hodge said later he wasn’t certain the rumour was true.

Hodge said Andrews answered the phone and heard: “You won’t take any intercept marks today”.

Host Hamish McLachlan was the one who dropped the news on Fagan.

“Did you hear about Harris Andrews,” he said.

“Apparently someone rang him at 1am and said, ‘You won’t be taking any intercept marks tomorrow’. And then they hung up again because they got the phone number through the hotel reception. Amazing to think the number would be given up.

It was well known the Lions were staying at the Pullman near the MCG.

Originally published as ‘That is ridiculous’: Collingwood premiers after Grand Final robbery