Collingwood and Brisbane Lions face off at Etihad Stadium for a spot in the NAB Cup grand final. Join us from 6.40pm AEDT for live scores and a blog of this unofficial pre-season preliminary final.
On a six-day break after a 20-point win over the Eagles in Perth last Sunday, Collingwood may be a bit underdone for tonight’s clash but they are not short on confidence.
In the first weekend of the NAB Cup, the Pies were too good for the Western Bulldogs before prevailing over Essendon in a last-minute thriller.
Last week, the Pies’ pressure against the Eagles was first-rate and they have plenty of improvement left in them.
At Patersons Stadium Collingwood were without quality midfielders Dayne Beams, Dale Thomas and Luke Ball.
Coach Nathan Buckley has admitted that winning isn’t the main focus tonight but even he would understand that such is Collingwood’s quality they are going to be hard to beat regardless of what their driving ambitions are.
Beams, Ball and ruckman Darren Jolly return to the squad, while Ben Reid and Lachlan Keeffe join Thomas as the only notable absentees.
The Lions’ journey to this NAB Cup grand final qualifier wasn’t as easy as Collingwood’s but they too are yet to lose in 2013.
Last weekend, Brisbane was able to get the better of GWS Giants by three points in a classic at Wagga Wagga. The week prior they easily accounted for Gold Coast and Hawthorn in their Metricon Stadium triangular series of matches.
The Lions return to a near full-strength outfit for what is virtually a preliminary final. Jonathon Brown plays his first match of the year and is joined by quality sextet of Daniel Merrett, Daniel Rich, Joel Patfull, Andrew Raines and Ash McGrath, all of whom missed the Giants clash after playing in round one of the competition.
Michael Voss, the coach of the Lions, has made his intentions clear – he views tonight as the perfect opportunity for Brisbane to test their mettle against one of the competitions star outfits.
And I think the Lions are up to the challenge. As far as I’m concerned, Brisbane is on their way to a finals berth in the season proper and I can see them getting over the Pies in this pre-season clash.
I’m tipping Brisbane to book their spot in the NAB Cup final with a 12-point victory.
doug petrie
Guest
What a great way to start 2013. Could it be again we hear the roar of the lion? I can only hope
Archie Bunker
Guest
It's so great to see the lively Lion boys shutting the Voss baggers up for about the sixth time in a row. Under Michael's leadership the team exudes confidence and passion, Vossy was one of, if not the greatest player to wear the Lion's jumper, and it seems some of that quality is being soaked up by the players. I am looking forward to an exciting season of footy and wish all Brisbane Lions, players, staff, fans and friends, an insanely great year. GO LIONS
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Well done! Close to 10,000 views JC.
Justin Cinque
Expert
It's Brisbane by 34 points. Thanks for joining us tonight!
Justin Cinque
Expert
FULL TIME Collingwood 0.7.12.54 Brisbane 0.12.16.88 Brisbane by 34 points. It was close in the first-half. Collingwood actually looked the slightly better team. But the Lions got hold of proceedings at the start of the third and never looked back. They will play Carlton next weekend in the NAB Cup Grand Final - a replay of the 2007 NAB Cup Grand Final. The Pies showed a bit in the first half but their inexperience told in the second half. They ran out of legs as the saying goes and were overpowered. Brisbane continue their unbeaten start to the season and look good for a rock-solid 2013 showing.
Justin Cinque
Expert
2 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.7.12.54 Brisbane 0.12.16.88 This is developing into a flogging. Rich has it 80m. He goes long to FF. No mark and the Pies try and work it off HB. Hardly convincing from Collingwood. Their missing about ten guns tonight - it's a forgiveable performance. Long shot by Kennedy misses for Collingwood. And we're seeing replays of Beams pulling Rich by the hair. Dermott Brereton informs us it's a reportable offence - he got done for doing it to Terry Daniher one day.
Justin Cinque
Expert
2 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.7.11.53 Brisbane 0.12.16.88 Brisbane win another HTB free - this time at HB. Their pressure has been outstanding in the final quarter. And now Brown has finally clunked one! At 40m. And he'll go back. He goals. Brisbane by 35. They've got better as the night has gone on.
Justin Cinque
Expert
4 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.7.11.53 Brisbane 0.11.16.82 Brisbane by 29. ANd again they get it to HF. And inside. Bewick's been good. Can't find a teammate and the Pies rebound.
Justin Cinque
Expert
4 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.7.11.53 Brisbane 0.11.16.82 Sinclair bangs it to FF. Yeo - who has been very good - bashes it through for a rushed behind.
Justin Cinque
Expert
5 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.7.10.52 Brisbane 0.11.16.82 Michael's marked it at 45m. He doesn't take the shot. Squares it at HF. Long ball to the square. No mark. Mass of players converge. And Michael's marked it again... this time at FF. He'll go and miss! From ten yards. Fair dinkum. They need to practice their goal-kicking.
Justin Cinque
Expert
7 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.7.10.52 Brisbane 0.11.15.81 David King says tonight we see the rewards of Michael Voss' work as Brisbane coach.
Justin Cinque
Expert
7 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.7.10.52 Brisbane 0.11.15.81 Finally something for Pies fans to cheer. Lynch has marked it in the pocket. He'll go back from 20m. He should goal... This to keep it respectable. He goals.
Justin Cinque
Expert
They led by a point at the first two changes.
Justin Cinque
Expert
10 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.6.10.46 Brisbane 0.11.15.81 McGrath's shot misses. 16 scores to 26 Martin of Collingwood run down at HF. HTB again! Collingwood's second half has been shocking. They've been atrocious after the long interval.
Justin Cinque
Expert
11 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.6.10.46 Brisbane 0.11.14.80 Pies get it to HF. They finally squeeze I50. It stayed there for less than 2 seconds. Lions to HF and another grab I50. Cornelius has it at 40. He's going for fourth. He got the first three in the first half. He's absolutely shanked it! Jason Dunstall can't believe it. He missed the lot.
Justin Cinque
Expert
13 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.6.10.46 Brisbane 0.11.14.80 Collingwood struggling just to get it I50 right now. It's really unpolished stuff. Lions win the Sherrin. Run forward at will. Again no mark to Brown. Ben Johnson tries to run it off FB and he's run down by Bewick. Holding the ball! Bewick to ice it... he does! Brisbane by 34 and into the Granny!
Justin Cinque
Expert
16 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.6.10.46 Brisbane 0.10.14.74 Brown has been sloppy tonight for Brisbane. He will benefit from the hit-out! Rockliff sends long ball to FF. And Martin marks I50 again. He's had a good night. He can he kick straight this time? If he does, I think the Lions could be home! From 25m, he misses again.
Justin Cinque
Expert
16 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.6.10.46 Brisbane 0.10.13.73 Collingwood need a goal. Ball at HF for the Pies. Jolly won the tap. Lions have the numbers. Stoppage at HF. Footy remains at Pies' HF.
Justin Cinque
Expert
17 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.6.10.46 Brisbane 0.10.13.73 Moloney marks on the wing. Footy I50 now for the Lions. Good fwd pressure by the Lions. No mark to Brown. Green's roving work results in a poster! Outside of the boot into the stick from a tight angle.
Justin Cinque
Expert
19 to go Q4 Collingwood 0.6.10.46 Brisbane 0.10.12.72 Final quarter under away. And Lions have taken 30 seconds to add another goal. Bewick in the pocket, crumbs a spoil from a Pies defender. He has time, Bewick, steadies and sends the footy into the third tier. Lions by 26 points