Collingwood has confirmed Billy Frampton will replace key forward Dan McStay in the grand final against Brisbane, making Saturday the first ever final of his career.
McStay was heartbreakingly ruled out of the big dance after he suffered a high-grade medial strain in his knee, in their one-point preliminary final win over GWS.
The Magpies confirmed Frampton, who has played 15 games in 2023 since being traded from Adelaide, will play the first final of his career and his biggest on Saturday.
READ MORE: 'Super shoe' records leave a sport divided
READ MORE: Clubs 'white with fury' as AFL lashed for 'deplorable' call
READ MORE: AFL boss' public grand final plea to 'humble' Buddy
"I'm comfortable to say to the footy world that Billy will play," coach Craig McRae said on SEN on Wednesday.
"I told him yesterday afternoon and we're excited for what he can do for us.
"He can play second ruck so he gives us good flexibility for our team.
"For every heartache story there's an opportunity and Bill gets that."
What time will the grand final start?
The opening bounce of the grand final is set for 2.30pm (AEST) on Saturday, September 30.
What is the venue for the grand final?
The grand final will be played at the MCG, after returning to Melbourne in 2022.
Before that, during COVID-19, the 2020 grand final was held at the Gabba in Brisbane, while the 2021 grand final was held at Optus Stadium in Perth.
Grand final umpires
Matt Stevic will umpire his 11th grand final alongside Simon Meredith, who is umpiring his seventh.
Hayden Gavine and Robert Findlay will umpire their first grand finals, making up the four field umpires.
Andrew Stephens has been named as the emergency field umpire.
The four boundary umpires are Ian Burrows (10th grand final), with Christopher Gordon (seventh grand final), Matt Tomkins (fifth grand final) and Michael Barlow (second grand final).
Adam Wojcik will officiate his fifth grand final as goal umpire with Angus McKenzie-Wills in his maiden grand final.
Head-to-head
This season
The Lions beat the Magpies in both their home-and-away meetings this season.
In round 23, Brisbane beat Collingwood by 24 points at Marvel stadium.
Magpies midfielder Tom Mitchell (31 disposals) and veteran Scott Pendlebury (31 disposals) starred, while Brisbane small forward Charlie Cameron kicked four goals.
Earlier in the year, the Lions again defeated Collingwood by 33 points at the Gabba. Brisbane goal sneak Charlie Cameron booted an impressive six goals, while Collingwood young gun Nick Daicos collected 38 disposals.
Last meeting in a grand final
The clubs last met in a grand final in 2003, where Brisbane completed their three-peat, overcoming Collingwood by 50 points.
https://twitter.com/CollingwoodFC/status/1706957809257152946
Finals form
Both Collingwood and Brisbane earned the week off before their preliminary finals, after wins in the qualifying finals.
Collingwood snuck home against Melbourne by just four points at the MCG in their qualifying final.
Two weeks later, they snatched victory from the seventh-placed GWS Giants by a single point, going one better than 2022, when they lost to Sydney by one point in the preliminary final.
Meantime, the Lions convincingly beat Port Adelaide at the Gabba by 48 points to secure their home preliminary final.
Key forward Joe Daniher booted five goals in the victory.
They then went on to defeat Carlton by 16 points in the preliminary to book their spot in the last Saturday in September.
Odds (Sportsbet)
Collingwood $1.73, Brisbane $2.11 (correct at time of publishing, 11.25am Thursday, September 28)
Grand final tickets
Tickets have sold out.
Recent AFL grand final history
2022: Geelong 20. 13. (133) defeated Sydney Swans 8. 4. (52)
2021: Melbourne 21. 14. (140) defeated Western Bulldogs 10. 6. (66)
2020: Richmond 12. 9. (81) defeated Geelong 7. 8. (50)
2019: Richmond 17. 12. (114) defeated GWS Giants 3. 7. (25)
2018: West Coast Eagles 11. 13. (79) defeated Collingwood 11. 8. (74)
2017: Richmond 16. 12. (108) defeated Adelaide Crows 8. 12. (60)
2016: Western Bulldogs 13. 11. (89) defeated Sydney Swans 10. 7. (67)
2015: Hawthorn 16. 11. (107) defeated West Coast Eagles 8. 13. (61)
2014: Hawthorn 21. 11. (137) defeated Sydney Swans 11. 8. (74)
2013: Hawthorn 11. 11. (77) defeated Fremantle 8. 14. (62)
2012: Sydney Swans 14. 7. (91) defeated Hawthorn 11. 15. (81)
2011: Geelong 18. 11. (119) defeated Collingwood 12. 9. (81)
2010 (replay): Collingwood 16. 12. (108) defeated St Kilda 7. 10. (52)
https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1706954480875340150
Grand final entertainment line-up
Pre-match entertainment
– KISS
– Mike Brady (retiring legend parade)
– William Barton
– Jess Hitchcock
– Kate Miller-Heidke (national anthem)
Half-time entertainment
– Mark Seymour and the Undertow
– Kate Miller-Heidke
What happens if there's a drawn result?
In the event of a draw at the end of ordinary time, additional time will be played to crown a winner.
If scores are even at full-time, a six-minute break will occur before two three-minute halves (plus time on) are played to determine a result. At the end of the first additional period, the teams will change ends without a break.
If scores are still tied after the completion of both halves, the process will be repeated until a winner is declared.
Both clubs will receive 10 interchanges for each half (excluding the medical substitute). Any leftover interchanges from each half will not carry over.
Team runners may only head onto the field after a goal, during an extended stoppage in play or at the conclusion of the first half as the players change ends.
Norm Smith Medal
The Norm Smith Medal is presented to the player judged to be best on ground in the grand final. The honour is decided by an independent panel of football experts through a 3-2-1 voting structure.
The Norm Smith Medal cannot be shared between multiple players. In the event of a tie, a count-back-like situation of the higher votes received will determine a winner.
This year, it will be presented by 2003 winner, Brisbane's Simon Black.
2022: Isaac Smith, Geelong
2021: Christian Petracca, Melbourne
2020: Dustin Martin, Richmond
2019: Dustin Martin, Richmond
2018: Luke Shuey, West Coast Eagles
2017: Dustin Martin, Richmond
2016: Jason Johannisen, Western Bulldogs
2015: Cyril Rioli, Hawthorn
2014: Luke Hodge, Hawthorn
2013: Brian Lake, Hawthorn
2012: Ryan O'Keefe, Sydney
2011: Jimmy Bartel, Geelong
2010 (replay): Scott Pendlebury, Collingwood
Premiership cup presentation
If Collingwood win the flag, Pies legend Peter Moore, father of current captain Darcy Moore, will present the cup to coach Craig McRae and his son.
If the Lions get the ultimate glory, their three-time premiership coach and Australian football legend Leigh Matthews will do the honours.
Meantime, two-time Geelong premiership coach Mark 'Bomber' Thompson will present the Jock McHale medal to the winning coach.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.