In a performance that will be etched into Australian Rules Football folklore, the Collingwood Magpies, orchestrated by the timeless Scott Pendlebury, staged a breathtaking comeback to vanquish the Brisbane Lions and book a place in the 2025 AFL Grand Final.
The Gabba was a cauldron of noise, expectation weighing heavily on the home side. For much of the evening, it seemed their destiny would be fulfilled. The Lions, ferocious and precise, built a commanding lead that had them on the cusp of a home Grand Final. The Magpies, by contrast, looked uncharacteristically rattled, their trademark system under severe strain.
But greatness often reveals itself in the deepest adversity. As he has done for over 400 games, Scott Pendlebury became the calm within the storm. While the game descended into a frantic, high-pressure scrap in the final term, Pendlebury moved with a serene, almost supernatural clarity.
The Pendlebury Effect: A Lesson in Poise
His statistics—30-plus disposals, crucial clearances—tell only half the story. It was the quality of his intervention that proved decisive. In the heat of the contest, where others fumbled, he gathered. Where others panicked, he paused. Each possession was a lesson in composure, a steadying hand that slowly but surely wrested control back for the black and white.
This victory was a tactical masterpiece from coach Craig McRae. Faced with a rampant Lions midfield, McRae’s moves in the final quarter were bold and brilliant. Shifting the magnetic Nick Daicos into the centre bounces provided instant dynamism, while the relentless pressure of the Magpies’ forward line eventually caused the Lions’ defence to crack under the unyielding siege.
Brisbane’s Agony and Missed Chances
For Brisbane and coach Chris Scott, the loss is a devastating blow. This was a match they controlled for long periods, a game that seemed theirs to win. The failure to capitalise on their dominance and shut down the game will haunt them throughout the summer. Questions will inevitably be asked about their composure when the pendulum swung violently in the final moments.
The final siren brought a moment of pure, unbridled elation for Collingwood, and a scene of utter heartbreak for Brisbane. The Magpies, written off by many, now march into the Grand Final with momentum, belief, and a 36-year-old maestro playing football from another dimension.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a testament to resilience, to coaching genius, and to the enduring class of a true champion of the game. The AFL world now awaits a Grand Final showdown, with Pendlebury and his Magpies poised for glory.
