Pendlebury, Sidebottom massive as Magpies prevail

In the MCG furnace on Saturday, Pendlebury and Sidebottom delivered as they have so often in epic careers for their second premierships.

Pendlebury was massive, especially in the frenetic second half, directing his teammates and setting up play.

Significantly, his centre clearance midway through the last quarter ended up with Jordan De Goey, who snapped the goal that put Collingwood back in front.

Sidebottom fittingly kicked the goal two minutes later - a 50-plus metre bomb - that would end up ensuring the win and he was poised all day on a wing.

It was thought the 29C temperature might play to Brisbane's advantage.

Surely, in Pendleburys' 383rd game and Sidebottom's 309th, the two most experienced players on the ground might run out of legs.

Instead, they only became more significant as the game progressed.

In a belter of a first half, Collingwood's match-ups paid off and their relentless pressure put the Lions on the back foot.

Brisbane livewire Charlie Cameron went stat-less in the first term, while Tom Mitchell paid close attention to Brownlow Medallist Lachie Neale at stoppages and the Lions star only managed three touches.

As expected, Billy Frampton was promoted for his first final to play a defensive forward role on Harris Andrews, who had destroyed Carlton with his intercept marking and rebounding a week ago.

Frampton was the only player on the ground without a disposal at halftime, but significantly Andrews had only managed five disposals and three marks.

The Magpies suffered a significant blow in the first term when Nathan Murphy was hit high in a contest and had to leave the field.

He was subbed out with concussion, forcing a reshuffle of their defence and also meaning the fresh legs of Patrick Lipinski were brought on a lot earlier than Collingwood would have liked.

Captain Darcy Moore also had minimal impact as their defensive general - in much the same way as Andrews was nullified, Moore was not allowed to set up the Magpies with his intercept marking.

Collingwood also were left rueing too many missed shots on goal - 9.9 at the main break, 18 scoring shots to 12, for a lead of only six points.

De Goey kicked a booming goal at the quarter-time siren, but otherwise his impact had been minimal.

Instead it was Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill, with four first-half goals, who was giving the Lions defenders all manner of trouble.

Meanwhile, Cameron kicked two second-term goals and Joe Daniher, whether in attack or back up to ruckman Oscar McInerney, was having a big influence.

The first half featured 18 goals - nine apiece. The third term had just three.

Again, Collingwood failed to seize their moments, spraying 1.6, with Pendlebury's goal late in the quarter crucial after a smart short pass from Hill.

In the last term it was Brisbane's turn to rue missed chances, with Daniher, Keidan Coleman and Eric Hipwood all off target.

Daniher kicked the last goal of the game, but from there Collingwood's legendary ability to close out tight games prevailed.