<p>For just the second time since 2011, both AFL Preliminary Finals will be held at the MCG — and what a blockbuster this one promises to be.</p> <p>For the first time in what feels like forever, we’re treated to a Preliminary Final showdown between the two most recent premiers — Collingwood and Brisbane — with a Grand Final berth on the line.</p> <p>These two powerhouse clubs have a long and storied history in September. From their iconic Grand Final battles in the early 2000s, where the Lions famously triumphed over the Pies in back-to-back deciders during their historic three-peat, to the instant classic of 2023, when Collingwood edged out Brisbane by just four points in one of the greatest Grand Finals of the modern era.</p> <p>In many ways, this rivalry has come to define multiple generations of footy fans. And the recent chapters have only added to the legend. Several recent epic MCG clashes have gone down to the wire.</p> <p>Both clubs have been dominant forces over the past 2–3 seasons. Collingwood has surged under Craig McRae, finishing on top of the ladder in 2023 and backing it up with a strong run in 2025. Brisbane, meanwhile, continues to boast one of the most explosive midfields and forward lines in the league and has consistently featured in the top four since 2019.</p> <p>With no love lost and everything on the line, this one promises to be another top-shelf September showdown.</p> <p>Let’s break it all down — the form, matchups, team news, and betting insights. Read Sportsbet's Pies vs Lions Preliminary Final preview below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Brisbane Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Collingwood is exactly where they thought they would be. Even if the road to get there took a different turn.</p> <p>After setting the pace for so long, they ended up falling into the top four thanks to some good luck and results going their way. Thankfully, they ended up on the side of the draw that set them through their favourite interstate venue.&nbsp;</p> <p>A bold selection call of Mason Cox helped them course correct and get their defensive game back in order. The Pies intercepted virtually every single one of the Crows’ entries inside 50 in the Qualifying Final, and it allowed them to get their bounce back from the centre and from the back half.&nbsp;</p> <p>In just one night, in fact, a 10-minute burst at the start of the third quarter,&nbsp; they went from the team in the top four most likely to go out in straight sets to having one foot in the Grand Final.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Lions have had to go around the long way and find themselves back at the MCG after getting past the Suns.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Q-Clash semi-final promised plenty, and early doors, it looked like it was going to deliver something cool. That was until the Lions clicked into gear and did what they always do to the Gold Coast at the Gabba. Beat them comfortably.&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s set us on the course to this. A Saturday twilight grudge match in front of 95 thousand people at the MCG. It’s going to be big.</p> <p>Some of the selection calls for Collingwood will probably be bigger.&nbsp;</p> <p>Veteran defender Jeremy Howe looks set to return to the lineup for the Pies. He is a key piece in the backline, but he has been subbed out injured in the past three games he has played, so there is a natural concern there.&nbsp;</p> <p>The question then is, who comes out for him? Cox performed really well against the Crows and allowed ruckman Darcy Cameron to drift back and help out defensively, an area in which they controlled the game and will likely need to control again here against the Lions. So he is unlikely to make way.</p> <p>Then the other big selection call, will they roll the dice with Bobby Hill?</p> <p>The Norm Smith Medallist has played just one quarter and a half at an AFL level since Round 15 and is pushing to be the Finals wildcard for the Pies in their Premiership push. But has he done enough training and gotten enough conditioning under his belt to bring him in from the cold?</p> <p>It’s a massive call for the Collingwood match committee. But, Craig McRae has said himself that he is a little bit of a gambler.. How brave is he going to be?&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Players To Watch</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Jordan De Goey</h3> <p>Collingwood supporters might have been worried mid-season when their superstar was put on the shelf indefinitely, but there was a plan in place for him to return at precisely this time of year.</p> <p>And if the game he played against the Crows was evidence enough, the Pies' S&amp;C team managed him brilliantly. Collingwood’s September star delivered again and looms large in this one.&nbsp;</p> <p><br /> <br /> &nbsp;</p> <h3>Cam Rayner</h3> <p>It was Preliminary Final night last year where Rayner produced arguably his finest moment in a Lions jumper.</p> <p>Since then, He’s gone to another level with his game and overall importance to the Lions team. He’s even setting records now with the most broken tackles in a game.&nbsp;</p> <p>He’s a barometer for the Lions and will be a big reason why they get up if they salute.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Will Ashcroft</h3> <p>In the absence of Lachie Neale, the young king of the jungle pulled the strings in the Lions' midfield and put on a masterful display against the Suns.&nbsp;</p> <p>The 21-year-old, already a Norm Smith Medallist, has done some of his best work at the MCG in his 56-game career. Can he produce another special performance to lead the Lions to their third Grand Final appearance in a row?&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Brisbane Prediction &amp; Betting Tips</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Who Will Win?&nbsp;</h3> <p>You wouldn’t want to be doing anything else on Saturday evening other than watching this beauty.&nbsp;</p> <p>Both teams are coming into looking close to the best versions of themselves, even if the Lions are down a couple of important soldiers in the skipper, Lachie Neale, and key pillars Jack Payne and Eric Hipwood up front. Although youngster Ty Gallop did show against the Suns that he is capable of filling the void.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Lions smashed the clearance battle against the Suns, and will need to gain the ascendancy early against the Pies' midfield unit.</p> <p>Harris Andrews will have another big job patrolling the backline and will have to lean heavily on Darcy Gardiner to allow him to be the intercepting force that he is.&nbsp;</p> <p>After a stellar job on Matt Rowell last week, Josh Dunkley will go to Nick Daicos and try his best to limit the young champion.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Pies are refreshed and another week off for the old bodies might have proved just the tonic, but the Lions have proven before that they know how to navigate the Finals series and have done it all before hand.</p> <p>A packed MCG, in front of the rabid Magpie Army, it’s only going to aid the Pies in their quest to get over the line.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-brisbane-lions-9620745">Pies</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>First Goal Prediction</h3> <p>While much speculation continues to swirl about his playing future, Jamie Elliott remains an important piece to the Collingwood forward line.&nbsp;</p> <p>A career-best season of 50+ goals was headlined by another bag of four goals in the Qualifying Final against the Crows.</p> <p>He loves performing at the MCG on the big stage; here’s another big chance for him to shine brightest.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-brisbane-lions-9620745">Jamie Elliott</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Most Disposals Prediction</h3> <p>We tipped Hughey McCluggage to excel in the absence of Lachie Neale, and excel he did.&nbsp;</p> <p>While Ashcroft pulled the strings and Zorko and Wilmot set it up from the back, McCluggage collected plenty of the ball and was busy inside.&nbsp;</p> <p>We think the Pies might go with a run-with on Will Ashcroft, so we’re backing him to go again here.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/afl/collingwood-v-brisbane-lions-9620745">Hugh McCluggage 30+ disposals</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood Magpies vs Brisbane Lions Match Details</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date:</strong> Saturday, September 21st, 2025</p> <p><strong>First Bounce:</strong> 5:15 PM, AEST</p> <p><strong>Location:</strong> MCG, Melbourne</p> <p><strong>How to watch:</strong> Channel 7, Fox Footy/Kayo Sports</p>