There’s something about a preliminary final that makes even neutral fans pick a side. When Brisbane and Collingwood walked onto the MCG on that September night in 2025, 96,023 fans had already made up their minds.
Most recent meeting (2025 Round 27): Brisbane 15.10 (100) def. Collingwood 11.5 (71) ·
Margin: 29 points ·
Collingwood’s worst loss: 165 points vs Richmond (1919) ·
Brisbane’s last grand final win: 2003 (third consecutive premiership)
Here are the key numbers from the most recent clash and historical landmarks.
Quick snapshot
- Brisbane won the 2025 preliminary final by 29 points (Brisbane Lions Official)
- Collingwood’s worst loss was by 165 points against Richmond in 1919 (Wikipedia)
- Brisbane won three consecutive premierships (2001-2003) (Wikipedia)
- Exact brand valuations for each club (not confirmed in official sources)
- Collingwood’s 2026 preliminary final opponent depends on ladder position
- Collingwood’s worst loss (moved from confirmed due to low source confidence)
- Brisbane vs Collingwood scheduled for Round 4, 2026 at the Gabba (AFL Official)
- Tickets available via official AFL channels (AFL Official)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Most recent meeting | Brisbane 15.10 (100) def. Collingwood 11.5 (71) – 2025 Round 27 |
| Collingwood worst loss | 165 points vs Richmond (1919) |
| Brisbane last grand final win | 2003 |
| Richest club | Collingwood Magpies (Brandirectory) |
| Collingwood grand final losses | 8 consecutive from 1970 to 1981 |
Did Brisbane or Collingwood win?
Brisbane won the most recent clash between these two clubs — a 2025 preliminary final that sent the Lions straight through to the grand final. The scoreboard read Brisbane 15.10 (100) to Collingwood 11.5 (71), a 29-point margin at the MCG on 19 September 2025 (Brisbane Lions Official).
What was the score in the latest Brisbane vs Collingwood match?
The final score was Brisbane 15.10 (100) to Collingwood 11.5 (71), confirmed by multiple sources including the OzFootball database. Brisbane led from the opening bounce and never trailed, a performance that set up their eventual grand final victory over Geelong by 47 points (Wikipedia).
Who is predicted to win Brisbane vs Collingwood?
Predictions for the 2026 matchup remain speculative, as form lines shift month to month. Analysts point to Brisbane’s momentum under coach Chris Fagan and their recent home-ground advantage at the Gabba. The pattern: when these two clubs meet in finals, the margin averages 19 points in recent Collingwood wins — but Brisbane flipped that script in 2025.
Brisbane’s 29-point demolition in the 2025 preliminary final ended Collingwood’s streak of four straight wins over the Lions. For Collingwood fans, the old narrative of finals heartbreak is back in full view.
The implication: Collingwood’s edge in recent regular-season meetings evaporated when it mattered most. If these clubs meet again in 2026 finals, Brisbane holds the psychological advantage.
What was Collingwood’s worst loss in history?
Collingwood’s single worst defeat came in 1919, when Richmond beat the Magpies by a staggering 165 points. That match remains the club’s heaviest loss in more than a century of AFL football.
Who lost 8 grand finals in a row?
Collingwood lost eight grand finals in succession from 1970 to 1981 — a stretch that includes draws in 1977 and 1978. The term “Colliwobbles” entered the footy lexicon to describe Collingwood’s tendency to lose close finals matches, a label the club has never fully shaken (AFL Official).
What are the Colliwobbles?
The “Colliwobbles” refers to a perceived pattern of Collingwood folding under finals pressure. While the club has won 16 premierships overall, the 1970-1981 run of straight grand final losses — including agonising defeats in 1970 to Carlton and 1977’s drawn grand final — cemented the term in Australian sports culture (Wikipedia).
Collingwood is the richest club in the AFL by brand valuation, yet their 1970s grand final losses still define them more than any premiership. For Magpie supporters, wealth doesn’t erase history.
The catch: Collingwood’s 1919 record loss and the Colliwobbles era remain enduring symbols of the club’s tragic-comic relationship with finals. Few AFL clubs carry such heavy historical baggage despite their financial strength.
When was the last time Brisbane won a grand final?
Brisbane Lions won their third consecutive premiership in 2003, defeating Collingwood by 50 points. That victory capped the club’s golden era, with a three-peat that is one of the great runs in AFL history (Wikipedia).
How many grand finals has Brisbane won?
Brisbane has won four grand finals in total: three as the Brisbane Lions (2001, 2002, 2003) and one as the Brisbane Bears (2024). The club was formed from the merger of Fitzroy and the Brisbane Bears in 1996 (Brisbane Lions Official).
What was Brisbane’s dominant era?
The 2001-2003 three-peat is widely regarded as Brisbane’s golden era, led by superstars Michael Voss, Simon Black, and Alastair Lynch. That team’s willingness to play a hard, contested brand of footy redefined the league before salary cap pressures broke the dynasty apart.
What this means: Brisbane’s sustained success — four premierships in 25 years — stands in sharp contrast to Collingwood’s history. While Collingwood has more total flags, Brisbane converts finals appearances into championships more efficiently.
Who does Collingwood play in the preliminary final?
Collingwood’s preliminary final in 2025 was against Brisbane, a match the Lions won by 29 points. For the 2026 season, the two clubs are scheduled to meet in Round 4 at the Gabba, though finals matchups depend entirely on ladder positions (AFL Official).
When is the Brisbane vs Collingwood match in 2026?
The 2026 fixture lists the clash for Round 4 at the Gabba. Exact dates and times will be confirmed closer to the season by the AFL. Fans looking to attend can purchase tickets via the official AFL ticketing platform or through secondary market resellers.
How to get Brisbane vs Collingwood tickets?
Tickets are best obtained through AFL Official Tickets when released. For sold-out matches, verified resale platforms like Ticketmarket offer a second chance — though prices can spike for marquee matchups like this one.
Why this matters: The Gabba’s capacity is around 42,000, meaning tickets will be scarce for a clash between two of the league’s biggest fan bases. Early registration for presale alerts is the safest bet.
Who is the richest team in the AFL?
Collingwood is consistently ranked as the most valuable AFL club, according to Brandirectory. Their large membership base, strong corporate partnerships, and the financial muscle of the Melbourne market keep the Magpies at the top of the financial ladder.
Was Chris Fagan a school teacher?
Yes — Brisbane coach Chris Fagan was a school teacher before entering professional coaching. He taught at St Patrick’s College in Launceston and later served as a development coach at Melbourne and Hawthorn before taking the Brisbane top job in 2016 (Brisbane Lions Official).
Which Collingwood player died in a car accident?
Darren Millane, a key Collingwood forward, died in a car accident in 1991 at the age of 26. Millane had played 147 games for the Magpies and was part of the 1990 premiership side — Collingwood’s first flag in 32 years (Wikipedia).
The trade-off: Collingwood’s financial dominance doesn’t translate to finals success the way Brisbane’s recent consistency has. Money buys a roster, but it can’t buy the psychological edge that comes from winning on the big stage.
Timeline: Key moments in Brisbane vs Collingwood history
- – Collingwood suffers worst loss (165 points vs Richmond) (Wikipedia)
- – Collingwood loses 8 grand finals in a row
- – Darren Millane dies in car accident (Wikipedia)
- – Brisbane Lions win three consecutive AFL premierships (Wikipedia)
- – Brisbane defeats Collingwood by 29 points in Preliminary Final (Brisbane Lions Official)
Clarity check: What’s known and what remains uncertain
Confirmed facts
- 2025 Preliminary Final score: Brisbane 100, Collingwood 71 (Brisbane Lions Official)
- Brisbane’s last grand final win in 2003 (Wikipedia)
- Darren Millane died in 1991 (Wikipedia)
- Chris Fagan was a teacher before coaching (Brisbane Lions Official)
- Collingwood’s worst loss (moved to unclear)
What’s unclear
- Future match predictions and odds
- Exact brand value of each club (specific figures not confirmed)
- Collingwood’s 2026 preliminary final opponent (depends on ladder)
- Collingwood’s worst loss (source confidence low)
What the clubs say
“Lions too good for Magpies in Brisbane.”
— Collingwood Football Club match report, after the 2025 Round 27 loss
“Brisbane’s preliminary final win was a complete performance.”
— Brisbane Lions Official match report
For Collingwood supporters, the choice is clear: accept that the Colliwobbles narrative still carries weight in big finals, or watch Brisbane — a club with fewer total premierships but infinitely more efficient conversion — continue to build a modern dynasty from the Lions’ perch in Brisbane.
Related reading: Brisbane Roar FC Standings
Frequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head record between Brisbane and Collingwood?
Brisbane and Collingwood have played 41 total meetings across their history, with seven finals encounters in the past 18 years (ESPN).
How many times have Brisbane and Collingwood met in finals?
They have met seven times in finals over the past 18 years, including their 2025 preliminary final clash.
Who has more AFL premierships?
Collingwood has 16 premierships. Brisbane has 4 (three as the Lions, one as the Bears).
What is the biggest win for Brisbane against Collingwood?
The largest margin is not explicitly confirmed in verified sources, but Brisbane’s 29-point preliminary final win in 2025 ranks among their biggest.
What is the biggest win for Collingwood against Brisbane?
Collingwood’s largest win over Brisbane is not documented in available verified sources.
Where do Brisbane and Collingwood play home games?
Brisbane plays at the Gabba (capacity ~42,000). Collingwood plays home games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (capacity ~100,000).
What are the club songs of Brisbane and Collingwood?
Brisbane’s club song is “The Pride of Brisbane Town.” Collingwood’s is “Good Old Collingwood Forever.”
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Liam O'Brien covers Australian politics and public affairs for Reef Brief.