Grand Final 2023 – Floreat Pica Society Review: The Sweet taste Of Revenge

 

 

 

 

 

Collingwood v Brisbane

Grand Final

Saturday, 30 September 2023, 2.30pm

MCG

 

 

 

THE SWEET TASTE OF REVENGE

 

by Guy Fazzino

 

Collingwood v Brisbane

Grand Final

Saturday, 30 September 2023, 2.30pm

MCG

 

 

 

Prologue

 

Unlike 2018, the train ride to the ‘G on the Hurstbridge line was eerily quiet even though the majority of passengers were obviously Collingwood fans. Why? Was it because – like me – they’d been gripped by hayfever and felt like crap, I don’t think so. Were they recovering from a big day yesterday – having been to the Parade and gone out for a big dinner that night as I had done? Maybe, but unlikely. Or was it because they were pondering what the future would be like at about 5pm? Would they be celebrating ecstatically, or wallowing in misery? As fans, we’ve been in this position so many times, 45 times in fact, yet the return has been meagre. Often the bridesmaid, not the bride. Gallant Finalists, unlucky losers, favourites who inexplicably fail on the biggest stage – we’ve heard it all before, been there so many times. No wonder it was quiet on this train. The guarded optimism, the nervous anticipation, the furtive looks, the fidgety stances, it was all there on this damned train.

 

As with all Grand Finals, there were no shortages of hard luck stories. Adams did not recover from a hamstring strain to warrant selection, McStay had been ruled out with a knee sustained in the Prelim and poor old Johnny Noble had to watch from the stands, squeezed out of the team for the entire Finals series. In came Frampton to do a job in the forward line and Ginnivan made it into the starting 22, at the expense of Lipinski, who was relegated to sub status. The Lions, while still missing Ashcroft and Payne, went in with an unchanged line-up.

 

Would Brisbane make it 3 from 3 in Grand Finals against the Pies or would Collingwood break a run of 6 straight losses and win the one that really counted? My heart said the Pies, but my head was telling me the Lions.

 

And so before a full house of 100,024 fans, following a typically flamboyant performance by KISS, the game unfolded in windy, sapping, 30 degree heat, in what would turn out to be one of the greatest, most spectacular Grand Finals of all time, certainly since 1989.

 

The First Quarter

To no-one’s surprise, the heat is on from the first bounce, ahem ball up. Collingwood has the better of the earlier exchanges. It’s clear that Frampton’s job is to keep Andrews deep in the goal square and to nullify his influence. Billy actually has a couple of good half chances but fails to take a grab. Following a scrap in Collingwood’s forward line, Naicos is awarded a free for a high tackle which, had it have been Ginnivan, may not have been paid. He duly converts and the ground erupts. From the bounce, the Pies surge forward again, McCreery spots Hill and he calmly slots the second. Pies fans expel their nerves with a guttural roar. Cox is having an influence over the big O. For the third time in this Finals series, the Pies have got off to a flyer.

 

Some up and down footy ensues until Bailey spears a running goal from the left pocket following a great tap from McInerney. Pies muff chances to score from McCreery and Elliott. McCarthy kicks a running goal. Lions have well and truly settled now. Following a free to Cox in the backline, he is pick pocketed by Bailey, a spillage follows, Bailey recovers, dodges and weaves and snaps a remarkable goal. Lions now in front. How was he allowed to be so close to Cox at point of kicking? Not sure about that one. Predictably, scuffles break out. Brisbane’s small forwards are proving to be very dangerous and Charlie Cameron hasn’t even had a touch yet. When Murphy goes off following another head knock, things are suddenly looking grim. What’s happened?

 

Cox has a gilt edged chance to score following a fine contested mark but misses. Pies keep the ball in the forward line until Mihocek snaps a beauty from the left pocket about 35m out. Pies back in front. Crisp misses a running shot – normally bread and butter for him. With 20 seconds left in the quarter, Quaynor spots De Goey on the 50 who goes back and nails it after the siren to re-establish the ascendancy. The ‘G goes off.

 

Mitchell, Pendlebury and Naicos have been prominent for the Pies. Coleman, Daniher, McInerney and Bailey are best for the Lions, while Cameron has been unsighted, and Neale and Rayner have had no influence. Pies have won the quarter both on the scoreboard and in general play. Some individual feats of brilliance together with accurate kicking, has kept Brisbane close.

 

Pies 4.4.28   Lions 3.0.18

 

The Second Quarter

Murphy rules himself out and Lipinski is on. Charlie Cameron explodes from the get go. He snaps on his left within the first 23 seconds then squares a ball which ends up with McCluggage and suddenly the Lions are back in front after barely a minute of play. Scintillating stuff. Game is in the balance again. Neale snaps – misses. Precise ball movement from the Maggies backline – Maynard to Jaicos to Naicos to De Goey to Mitchell to Hill who slots his second. Brilliant “transference of the air conveyance”. Pies regain the lead. Lions get free in midfield and Cameron gets his second out the back. Lions back in front. McCreery snaps and misses. A long range running shot from Jaicos is rushed through. McCreery has another opportunity, sprinting down the ground with a couple of bounces but sprays it again – 0.3 for him. Daniher gets on the end of a loose ball in the goal square and now they’re a goal up. It feels as though Brisbane only needs a slight opportunity and they’ll convert every time. Brisbane swarming now. Bailey misses a set shot after tackling McCreery but when McCarthy drills one from the right pocket, they’re suddenly 13 points in front. All of their goals have come from running play – no set shots. Brisbane have kicked 5 goals to one this quarter and the fears of all Pies fans are being realised.

 

However, from the bounce, the Pies move the ball by hand and foot until Crisp marks a Mitchell pass and converts from the left outside 50. Crucial goal. Markov streams down the ground but misses. Howe receives an incisive diagonal pass from Maynard which opens up play. He then boots it down to an open forward line and Hill takes a screamer over Starcevich, goes back and bangs it through! All tied up and the crowd is at fever pitch again!

 

Ginnivan marks 40 out on the left hand side but injudiciously chooses to do an around the corner kick. He fails to make the distance and the ball rolls over for a point. Pies in front again. Dunkley misses a running shot. Lipinski boots a long ball to the right forward pocket, Hill outmanoeuvres his opponent and snaps truly on his left for his fourth! The noise is deafening. Not to be outdone, Brisbane respond almost immediately through Daniher who marks on his left 35m out and converts. Scores level once again! Moore soundly beaten. He seems a half step behind the play, making some poor decisions and not quite his assured self. He does not register a possession for the quarter. Needs to lift. With seconds left in the quarter, Naicos finds space on the Members’ wing with individual brilliance, shoots a precision pass inbound to WHE who then finds Crisp in space 35m out on the far side and coolly shoots truly after the siren from 50. Wow! We all take a collective deep breath.

 

And so ends one of the most scintillating quarters in Grand Final history – 11 goals, 4 lead changes, spectacular marks and some incredible goalkicking – it had everything. Can the standard be maintained in the second half or will the game descend into a dour struggle in this searing heat? Best for the Pies this quarter: Hill, Naicos and Sidebottom while the Lions were served well by Coleman, Cameron, McCluggage and Neale. Dunkley keeping a tight leash on De Goey who threatens to explode with every possession.

 

Pies 9.9.63   Lions 9.3.57

 

The Third Quarter

Frampton dribbles one over the line for his first touch of the game. Collingwood controlling play. Elliott marks a hack kick out from defence but his kick from 50 just fails to clear the pack. 8 point game. Fletcher bounces one through for a point. Frampton spills a gilt edged pass from Crisp 20m out. Maynard lands a brutal tackle on Starcevich and is lucky to be awarded a holding the ball decision. He hits the post from just inside the boundary near the 50. Pies pressing but not converting. Markov gives away a very dubious 50m penalty on McCluggage on the far wing. This brings him to within 45m and he scores truly. Arm wrestle ensues until Ginnivan has a chance to dribble one through on his left but he also hits the post. Lipinski snaps wildly and misses everything. Daniher outmarks Moore from the ensuing kickout, pinpoints a dribbler to Ah Chee who drills a long pass to Robertson in the goal square, who plays on and goals. Lions back in front. The Lions, as is their trademark, score over the back. Daniher is proving to be a real problem.

 

Cox, playing a very serviceable game for the Pies, misses a snap from 10m out. Then follows an outstanding piece of play. Crisp grabs a loose ball at half back, handballs to Pendlebury, who flips it to Markov who in turn gives it to Maynard who then drills a perfect pass down the middle to Elliott. He plays on and spots Hill on his left but unfortunately he misses his set shot. That’s six consecutive points for the Pies this quarter. Back to a one point game. WHE takes a very good contested mark down back and kicks along the far wing, the ball spills out to Lipinski who flips it to Mitchell who handballs in the Naicos direction who manages to hack it in mid-air and finds Mihocek. He plays on and finds Hill in the left pocket. This time, Hill chooses to pass to Pendlebury who, the champion that he is, scores truly for his first ever goal in what is his fifth Grand Final. Pies take the lead again. Soon after, McCreery, with oodles of space in front of him and options galore, butchers a pass to Elliott at centre half forward. An opportunity goes begging. Not long after, McCarthy takes a mark from Rayner 35 out on the far side but he too just misses his set shot with 8 seconds left.

 

A tense, tight quarter. Very different to the first half. Brisbane made the most of their chances while the Pies should have kicked 2 or 3 more goals in that term. Which team would last the distance? Feels like this is going down to the wire. The tension is unbearable. Collingwood’s best were Crisp and Lipinski while the Lions continued to be served well by Daniher and McCluggage. Coleman and Cameron were very quiet.

 

Pies 10.15.75   Lions 11.5.71

 

The Fourth and Final Quarter of 2023

The quarter starts slowly. Frampton gives away two holding free kicks against Andrews on the far wing within a minute. Howe cops a brutal bump to the ribs from Cameron. Soon after, a bit of wizardry between Naicos and Pendlebury on the far side ends in a Naicos snap for a point. Then De Goey spots Hill for a set shot 45m out directly in front but unfortunately it fades left. Pies up by a goal. A bit of kick to kick follows on the Members’ side between Cox, Gardiner, D Cameron and Andrews before Hill chases down Starcevich and corrals him holding the ball. Inspirational play!

 

A De Goey set shot from the right flank results in a rushed behind. Daniher also misses a gettable set shot from 40. Ah Chee off, Lyons on. Desperate play for a few minutes. Howe takes an intercept mark but overcooks a 45 degree inboard kick. It spills to Coleman and running on his preferred left misses from 50 what he should have drilled. Bit like Crisp’s miss in the first quarter. Tension rising. Hipwood marks a wobbler from McInerney but he also misses a regulation set shot from 50. With over 9 minutes to go, no more behinds are scored from hereon in.

 

Pendlebury starts to take command in the midfield, getting important touches and creating play. The game seems to be played between the arcs. The tension is excruciating. Lions finally break clear on the Members’ wing through Berry who belts it forward. Cameron beats Maynard and Quaynor with some magic, spins onto his left and snaps truly. First goal of the quarter with 5 and a half minutes to go. Brisbane back in front and Pie hearts sink all over the country, surely not again! But this Collingwood team will not be denied! From the bounce, Cox taps to Naicos who shovels it to Pendlebury who blasts it into forward 50. Off the pack, the ball is punched out to Naicos who in one motion springs up to grab it and handballs in mid-air to De Goey on his right who then drills it from 50! Sensational! You can actually feel the noise – it’s that loud. No coincidence the cream is rising to the top.

 

Again from the bounce, Cox bashes the ball forward. This time Wilmot hacks it Brisbane’s way 40m off the ground but it’s scooped up by Quaynor who finds Sidebottom defensive side on the far wing. But wait, he gets unceremoniously dumped by Berry after the mark and a 50m penalty is paid! The man on the mark is now right on 50. Will Steelo try and put it up near the square? No! He steels(!) himself and with magnificent poise, pumps an absolute bomb and clears the goal line easily! What the? INCREDIBLE CLUTCH GOAL! Bedlam breaks out in the stands. Can this get any better! Play becomes frenetic. Andrews playing his best quarter. Pies burn nearly 3 minutes off the clock until McCluggage finds a way to keep the ball in play in the right pocket Members’ side and squares it to ……… Daniher! He immediately plays on from 30 out and snaps truly on his left! No way! Pies now only up by 4 points, with 1 minute and 33 seconds left. Can they hang on? This is too much! I think the lady next to me is going to pass out.

 

This time Brisbane go forward from the bounce through Berry, the ball spills to Neale who’s legged by Markov! The umpire blows for a free but it looks like Neale takes the advantage and handballs to Bailey who just pops the ball up and Moore spoils! Did Neale hear the whistle? Should the umpires have recalled the play? Don’t know, don’t care! 1:14 to go! The ball lands in Naicos’ hands who coolly spots Hoskin-Elliott. But WHE’s kick to Mitchell is not long enough so no mark is paid! Mitchell has to handball to Crisp who bombs it down the line only for Andrews to take another intercept mark! He blasts it forward, a pack forms, ball up! Mitchell is then taken high! Wow! 33 seconds left! The Pies chip the ball around on the Members’ wing and ……………….. ICE THE GAME!

 

Game over! Season over! Collingwood wins their 16th premiership and pandemonium erupts around the ground, in the stands and across the country. I embrace my wife and brother and we jump up and down in jubilation, our eyes welling up. A tidal wave of euphoria surges through me. They’ve done it! An amazing game, both teams kick 2 goals in a dramatic last quarter. Not since 1968 has a team won a flag scoring less goals than the opposition. Pendlebury was sensational when it really mattered. Old heads prevailed in the final minutes for Collingwood – Mitchell, Sidebottom, Howe and Crisp. But Brisbane were also colossal. A magnificent game replete with numerous highlights caps off a brilliant Finals series. Good Old Collingwood Forever is belted out over and over.

 

Final Score: Pies 12.18.90   Lions 13.8.86

 

Epilogue

This result was so typical of the last 2 years, another heart stopping, gut wrenching, fist clenching, scrap to the dying seconds. It would have been weirdly inappropriate had it been any other way. A classic game in which the lead changed 10 times. Incredibly, the Pies win their 3 Finals’ matches by a combined total of 12 points – 7, 1 and 4. Pendlebury and Sidebottom create a new record for the longest period between premierships – 13 years and it was fitting that they scored 2 of the 3 goals in the second half. Bobby Hill is a unanimous and popular winner of the Norm Smith medal.

 

Whilst Darcy Moore did not have a great game, he speaks eloquently on behalf of the club and I shed a tear when he accepts the Cup from his old man. But then Fly announces his wife had given birth earlier that morning and that’s just the icing on the cake. It couldn’t get much better than this!

 

Under Craig McRae, this is not a “woe is me” team. Fly has taught them to act as winners, even in defeat. It’s a mindset, a behaviour, a way of being, that has been so refreshing, so palpably infectious, that it has completely altered the way this club is perceived and my own support for it.

 

After some reflection, I couldn’t help but spare a thought for Buckley, Burns, Clement, Anthony Rocca, Fraser, Licuria, Lockyer and others who had suffered the agony of those defeats in 2002 and 2003. Hopefully, this win has eased some of their pain and exorcised some past demons. After 20 odd years, we finally avenge that hurt. This time, it was Collingwood who scored the clutch goals, had the lucky breaks, and took the freakish marks and it was the opponent who was gallant in defeat. Ironically, it took a 3 time Brisbane premiership player to defeat his old team in The Big One, just as the Brisbane coach had twice vanquished his old premiership club.

 

After a raucous few hours in Swan St, I catch the 10pm train back home. It’s a little more animated this time.

 

 

Read more from the Floreat Pica writers HERE.

 

 

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