Collingwood vs Brisbane: Latest Score, Stats & History

Collingwood versus Brisbane keeps crowds on their feet no matter what the ladder says. When these two meet, you’re just as likely to see a 52-point demolition as a one-point thriller — the outcomes swing wildly, but the drama never does. The Magpies and Lions have carved out one of the AFL’s more unpredictable rivalries, trading blows across the MCG, the Gabba, and every ground in between. Here’s everything you need to know about their recent clashes, the stats that matter, and what it all means for whoever’s next on the fixture.

Recent Score: Collingwood 79 (11.13) – Brisbane 78 (11.12) · Venue: MCG, Melbourne · Date: 16 August 2024 · Previous Result: Brisbane win by 54 points (April 2026)

Who lost 8 Grand Finals in a row?

Collingwood holds one of the most infamous streaks in AFL history — and it has nothing to do with the modern era. Between 1925 and 1939, the Magpies lost eight consecutive Grand Finals, a run that became known as the “Colliwobbles.” Long before the club added 16 premierships to its trophy cabinet, this stretch defined Collingwood as the league’s hard-luck story. The club finally broke through in 1958, and while the meme has faded, the psychological weight of that era still surfaces when Collingwood faces high-pressure moments at the MCG.

Colliwobbles era details

The Colliwobbles weren’t just a fan joke — they were a genuine identity crisis for the club. Collingwood made Grand Finals every single year from 1927 to 1936 except 1934, losing each time. Opponents like Richmond and Carlton capitalized on Collingwood’s habit of crumbling under the big-game pressure. It took until 1958 — a 19-year gap from their 1903 debut — before the Magpies finally held the cup aloft.

When did Collingwood last win a grand final?

The most recent Collingwood premiership came in 2023, when the Magpies defeated Brisbane Lions by 4 points in one of the closest Grand Finals in AFL history. That 76-72 victory gave Collingwood its 16th flag, matching Essendon for the second-most in league history behind Carlton. The win was especially sweet given Collingwood’s lean years in the early 2000s and the fact that Nathan Buckley — then coach — had endured multiple Grand Final losses as a player before finally getting the trophy.

Recent premierships

Collingwood’s 2023 triumph was the club’s first since 1990, ending a 33-year premiership drought. The game itself was a tactical masterclass, with both sides trading momentum through each quarter. Jack Darling’s contested mark in the final minutes and Brody Mihocek’s clutch goalkicking kept the Pies in front when Brisbane threatened. The margin came down to a single goal in the final term — exactly the kind of result this rivalry produces.

When was the last time the Brisbane Lions beat Collingwood at the MCG?

Brisbane ended a four-match losing streak against Collingwood with a win at the MCG in 2025, drawing 96,023 fans to the venue. That result — Brisbane 15.10 (100) to Collingwood 11.5 (71) — gave the Lions their fifth straight win at the traditional Grand Final venue overall. More significantly, it marked Brisbane’s first victory over Collingwood at the MCG since 2014. The win wasn’t fluky either: the Lions controlled the contest from the second quarter onward, with Logan Morris booting a career-high six goals.

Key MCG encounters

The MCG has become something of a fortress for the Lions against Collingwood, despite the Magpies’ historical dominance at the ground. Brisbane’s 2025 performance proved the club has the firepower to match Collingwood’s class when the stakes are highest. Lachie Neale’s 36 disposals and 12 clearances gave Brisbane a commanding presence in the midfield, while the forward line spread the scoring load effectively.

What is the history of Collingwood vs Brisbane?

These clubs have shared the AFL stage since Brisbane entered the league in 1987, but their head-to-head record tells a story of eras rather than consistency. Collingwood dominated the early matchups, while Brisbane’s threepeat years (2001-2003) tilted the balance. The rivalry has never had a true dominant force — instead, it oscillates based on which club is rebuilding and which is contending. Brisbane’s record 93-point win came in Round 17 2007, when the Lions posted 22.17 (149) against a shell-shocked Magpies outfit.

Head-to-head record

Tracking wins and losses between these clubs shows a surprisingly even split over the past decade, with neither side holding more than a three-game advantage at any point. Collingwood’s four straight wins over Brisbane before the 2025 losses demonstrate how quickly momentum shifts between the teams. The Gabba and MCG each host roughly half the fixtures, and the venue matters — Collingwood’s 52-point win at the Gabba in April 2025 proves they travel well, but Brisbane’s MCG victories suggest neutral venues favor the Lions.

Notable matches

Three results stand out from recent years: the 2023 Grand Final (Collingwood by 4), the 2025 Preliminary Final (Brisbane by 29), and the April 2025 Gabba slaughter (Collingwood by 52). Each game looked nothing like the others, which is exactly what makes this rivalry unpredictable. The 2023 Grand Final was a grinding tactical battle, while the 2025 Preliminary Final turned into a Brisbane runaway after halftime. The Gabba match was Collingwood’s most complete performance of the season.

The pattern across these four encounters illustrates why this rivalry defies easy prediction — each result diverges dramatically from the others in margin and momentum.

What are Collingwood vs Brisbane stats and score?

The numbers from recent encounters paint a picture of two clubs with elite talent but inconsistent execution against each other. Collingwood’s Round 6 2025 victory at the Gabba showcased their clearances dominance (36-26), while Brisbane’s Preliminary Final win turned on midfield authority — Lachie Neale (36 disposals) and Josh Dunkley (31 disposals) controlled the engine room. Logan Morris’s six-goal haul in the 2025 MCG clash stands as the individual performance highlight from the Lions’ camp.

Live stats

The most recent Collingwood vs Brisbane clash on August 16, 2024 ended 79-78 — a single-point Collingwood win that encapsulated everything this rivalry delivers. Collingwood scored 11.13 (79) while Brisbane managed 11.12 (78). The Gabba match from April 2025 showed Collingwood at their most clinical: 16.9 (105) from 36 inside-50 entries, compared to Brisbane’s 21 inside-50s that yielded just 7.11 (53).

Player highlights

Nick Daicos and Josh Daicos were both among the best players in Collingwood’s Gabba win, with the brothers combining for 52 disposals and constant pressure through the midfield. For Brisbane, Logan Morris’s six-goal performance in the 2025 MCG win announced him as a genuine AFL forward, while Lachie Neale’s 36-disposal games against Collingwood demonstrate his ability to lift for the biggest occasions.

Related reading: Lakers vs Detroit Pistons Match Player Stats: Box Scores & More · AFL Live Scores 2025: Today Results, Fixtures & Standings

Brisbane Lions advanced to the grand final with a commanding 29-point victory over Collingwood in the 2025 preliminary final, underscoring their recent dominance in this fierce AFL rivalry.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• AFL Live Scores 2025: Today Results, Fixtures & Standings
• AFL Official
• Brisbane Lions Official Rivalry Hub
• ESPN AFL Coverage