2003 Qualifying final
Collingwood 2.2.14 5.5.35 6.8.44 9.12.66
Brisbane Lions 3.2.20 6.5.41 7.5.41 7.9.51
VENUE: MCG
DATE: Saturday 5 September
CROWD:66,092
UMPIRES: Allen, Goldspink, McBurney
PREMATCH
Nathan Buckley vowed his Magpies would do everything in their power to avenge the heartrending defeat in the 2002 Grand final. But an inconsistent first half of 2003 had critics and supporters seriously questioning if the team was even finals worthy. The mid-season pilgrimage to Darwin was opportune, the Magpies’ reaffirming their commitment to the cause. Words became action – thereafter the only blemish a flat display against Brisbane in the ‘Heritage’ Round 19 game. Pretenders and contenders were dispatched, and fighting wins over Sydney and Essendon in the last throes of winter were rewarded with second spot and a coveted home final.
On a blustery Saturday night, the MCG atmosphere was electric, the expectation palpable. A sea of black and white was punctuated by patches of Brisbane regalia. Inconsistency aside, the ’02 Grand final and two subsequent wins over the ‘Pies gave rise to a growing mental roadblock. The stakes were twofold; to severely dent the Lions’ prospects and proceed directly to a home Preliminary final – both critical to achieving the end goal.
Holland was a non-starter owing to his reckless felling of former ‘Pie Paul Williams, but all in all, the team was in sound shape. A fit Prestigiacomo (back after a five week absence) at least boosted confidence in the backline’s ability to sufficiently subdue Brisbane’s twin peaks Lynch and Brown. And much pre-game talk revolved around Brisbane’s eight goal first quarter in the previous meeting. Indeed, Brisbane’s tendency to spend extended periods in second or third gear, only to shift into a devastating overdrive when the need arose, made for a nail-biting 120 minutes ahead.
THE GAME
In tricky conditions aggravated by the gaping hole left by the demolished Ponsford Stand, Buckley provided a nerve settling start when he slipped Voss to mark and convert inside two minutes. But as they had in Round 19, the Lions followed the Magpies’ initial goal with a flurry. Beset with the flu, Shane Wakelin had only trained once in the past fortnight. His opponent Lynch showed no mercy, kicking three goals by the 15-minute mark of the first quarter. The first was a tremendous roost outside 50 metres near the boundary, the others via marks aided by passes dropping short in the fluky wind. The ‘Pies stopped the hemorrhaging and countered when Tarrant goaled just before the siren, courtesy of a foolish 50 metre penalty by Charman.
The crowd erupted with a trademark long goal by Buckley early in the second term, but no momentum eventuated. Voss appeared troubled by his knee, as much as he was by Buckley’s form, and was moved forward with little effect. Lappin went to Buckley, one of four opponents for the night. Brisbane enjoyed another triumvirate of goals, the first a skilful snap from Ashley McGrath who out-sprinted Lynch and Wakelin to gather a loose ball. Then Jonathon Brown enjoyed a purple patch, highlighted by an audacious goal crashing through the centre square, running forward and bullocking a path to snap truly. Finally, an Akermanis special from the pocket in front of the Members Pavilion was ominous enough to elicit a premature sinking feeling. For ten minutes Collingwood fought valiantly to defend. Tarrant provided some relief at the 26 minute mark when he took a fine grab directly in front and converted outside 50 metres. A moment later, Johnson hoofed a 60 metre long bomb from a tight angle. The ball outlandishly bounced over several players’ heads and through the big sticks. The ‘Pies’ late counterpunch minimised the damage in a quarter that might easily have turned ugly.
Had the Lions already fired their best shot? And how could the free kick count possibly read 12-3 in Brisbane’s favour? The intensive defensive nature of the game was suffocating and exhausting to watch. Typically, one player wearing black and white stood above the rest; Buckley with 20 possessions and two goals looking every bit the 2003 Brownlow Medal winner he would soon become.
If scoring wasn’t already excruciatingly difficult, the third quarter resembled a mega Sudoku puzzle. For ten minutes Collingwood’s hold on play failed to bear fruit, realizing just three behinds. Frustratingly, Lappin made something of a half chance, and broke the deadlock for Brisbane. Lonie embarked on one of his long runs and kicked deep for Tarrant, who ran onto the ball and soccered it through from the goal square. With the difference now just three points with ten minutes remaining in the quarter, the importance of every kick, every decision and every mistake seemed to be magnified ten-fold. Johnson enjoyed a sensational quarter, disposing of Akermanis and winning nine kicks of his own to help keep the Lions at bay. The white calicos remained tightly wound until the end of the term in a struggle not unlike the 2002 Grand final.
With the crowd at their back, and Akermanis and Voss resting their backsides on the bench, Collingwood was at least a 50% chance. Brisbane threatened early but failed to take toll. Then enter Alan Didak, stage left. Coming on midway through the final quarter, he promptly set the crowd alight with a brilliant goal from just outside 50m. The young Magpies lifted. When the ball was lofted to the ‘hot spot’ inside the attacking zone, Rocca marked imperiously and goaled having been kept well in check by former teammate Mal Michael. However, there was a way to go, and Brisbane could never be written off. Didak’s decisive moment arrived when he lined up hard up against the fence on the wrong side for a left footer. Didak executed a perfectly crafted kick, under the most enormous pressure. The Sherrin split the middle to an enormous roar, for the Lions were finally broken at the 21 minute mark. Collingwood clung grimly to their hard won lead, and when the siren sounded, 60,000 Magpie fanatics exhaled as one. For one night only, the king was dead, though not quite buried…
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
In recognizing the circumstances, and that Lynch’s three rapid fire goals weren’t a true reflection, Malthouse rightly showed faith in Wakelin. And the trusty backman responded in kind, Lynch failing to bother the scoreboard again.
Contrary to the 2002 Grand final, it was Collingwood that kept themselves within striking distance in the time-on periods of the first three quarters. The Magpies’ ability to absorb pressure and take their opportunities showed great maturity for such a young side.
Ultimately, with the game in the balance, the single most important moment was Malthouse’s decision to release the gifted Didak to impart his magic.
AFTERMATCH
The Lions’ capacity to break a game open with a succession of demoralizing goals reared its head twice, but for the most part Brisbane could not buy a major. In fact, after half time the Lions recorded a paltry 1.4. The brave Magpies persevered whenever Brisbane threatened. Once again, captain Buckley was both the inspiration and perspiration with 32 possessions and two goals. Licuria and Burns were as industrious as ever, whilst Josh Fraser shone with 12 clearances and 17 kicks.
On paper Brisbane represented a formidable task, but the gap appeared to have narrowed significantly, and the cards were falling into place. Hence, the Magpie faithful left the MCG exhilarated by the achievement, and as ever, full of hope.
THE HERO
Alan Didak (Collingwood)
Far from the best player with just six possessions, nonetheless Didak seized his chance to become the game breaker. Didak quickly became a crowd favourite, for his style and build promised the nearest thing to a reincarnation of the legendary Peter Daicos. When Didak came onto the ground, Collingwood just needed a dose of X-factor to cut through the suffocating pressure. Didak virtually ran straight onto the ball from the bench to kick his first goal on the run. Under the circumstances, the second was arguably the most skilful set shot for some years. With the best wishes of a few well meaning Brisbane supporters directly behind him ringing in his head, ‘Dids’ cheeky response was simply to cup his hand against his ear.
POSTSCRIPT
On the back of this colossal victory, Collingwood was rightfully installed as Premiership favourites. Brisbane appeared to be faltering and the other big player, Port Adelaide, also failed miserably in losing its home Qualifying final to Sydney. The Magpies convincingly won through to the Grand final over Port. Meanwhile, Brisbane was dealt a favourable hand and found their feet with a devastating last quarter against inexperienced finals contender Sydney.
Disappointingly, the golden opportunity fashioned by the superb Qualifying final win counted for nothing. Again, like 2002, Collingwood lost a key player for the decider – Anthony Rocca’s over exuberant bump on Power ruckman Lade leaving a gaping hole in attack. The efforts to fill the hole were shambolic, notwithstanding Brisbane gave their best performance of the year on the most important day. It would be the most shattering display by Collingwood in decades, made worse by losing two grand finals in succession to the same team. A team controversially granted salary cap concessions and liberally dosed up on painkilling injections.
WHAT THEY SAID
“I heard Leigh saying yesterday or the other day before they would be taking in players who were 100% fit and I would hate for my side to be awarded a victory because Brisbane weren’t fit…I think we would be robbed if anyone suggested Brisbane weren’t fit.”
Coach Malthouse engages in some psychological by-play. A few weeks later Matthews went against his policy and came up trumps.“All we have achieved today is the right to play in a Preliminary final at the MCG, nothing else.”
Malthouse keeping a lid on great expectations.
COLLINGWOOD
B Johnson Prestigiacomo Clement
HB Lonie J Cloke Shaw
C Woewodin Buckley O’Bree
HF Didak Rocca Kinnear
F Williams Tarrant Burns
FOLL Fraser, Scotland, Licuria
INT Cole, Lokan, Wakelin, Walker
COACH Malthouse
BRISBANE LIONS
B Johnson Michael White
HB Copeland Leppitsch Ashcroft
C Lappin Voss Pike
HF Hart Brown Power
F McGrath Lynch Bradshaw
FOLL Keating, Black, Akermanis
INT Charman, Notting, C Scott, Caracella
COACH Matthews
GOALS
COLLINGWOOD – Tarrant 3, Didak, Buckley 2, Rocca, Johnson
BRISBANE LIONS – Lynch 3, A McGrath, Akermanis, Brown, Lappin
BEST
COLLINGWOOD – Buckley, Clement, Tarrant, Fraser, Johnson, J Cloke, Scotland
BRISBANE LIONS – Brown, Akermanis, Lappin, Michael, White, Hart.
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