Collingwood’s Lachie Sullivan has again impressed in the VFL, with the midfielder coming away with a game-high 32 disposals and 11 clearances in the Pies’ 21-point loss to Brisbane at Barry Plant Park on Saturday morning.
The visitors got the quick jump over the Pies, with the Lions kicking the first two majors courtesy of Keidean Coleman.
Collingwood were able to surge forward on multiple occasions, only to be halted by Brisbane defenders who were well structured to limit the Pies’ scoreboard impact.
Off-season recruits Oskar Faulkhead and Will Phillips were both able to find the goals for Collingwood, but the Pies were unable to limit the Lions’ scoreboard impact, with Brisbane going on to kick six from nine attempts in the opening term.
Brisbane’s dominance in front of goal continued in the second term, kicking a further four goals while keeping Collingwood goalless until the 27th minute when former Coburg Lion Mitch Podhajski kicked his first in his return to Barry Plant Park since becoming a Pie in the mid-season draft.
Collingwood key tall Iliro Smit was ruled out of the remainder of the game at half time due to concussion after a knock to the head, forcing defender Brynn Teakle to shift forward in the second half.
Despite having five opportunities in front of goal to narrow the Lions’ lead, the Pies struggled to convert in front of goal in the third term, adding only one major to the tally courtesy of Charlie West.
The fourth quarter showed a much braver looking Pies, with VFL Senior Coach Matt Lokan’s men kicking four goals, including goals to Will Hayes and Sullivan, while also keeping Brisbane goalless to narrow their lead.
In the end, it wasn’t enough to overcome the visitors with Collingwood going down by 21 points to Brisbane at Barry Plant Park.
MATCH CENTRE: COLLINGWOOD V BRISBANE
The numbers:
Lachie Sullivan was impressive in the second half, finishing his day with a season-high 32 disposals (18 contested) and 11 clearances along with a fourth quarter goal.
Mid-season draftee Harry Coe was again impressive in the ruck, holding a game-high 27 hitouts along with 13 disposals.
Defender Jakob Ryan had another strong game in the backline, notching 28 disposals and eight intercepts, while Noah Howes held a game-high 12 intercepts from 16 disposals in his return from a shoulder injury.
Small forward Will Hayes (16 disposals, one goal) had a solid first game back from shoulder injury, while former Brisbane Lions Academy player and 2025 draftee Tyan Prindable impressed with 23 disposals and six score involvements.
Collingwood’s VFL side will now turn their attention to their AFL curtain raiser clash with North Melbourne next Friday afternoon at Marvel Stadium.
COLLINGWOOD 2.4 3.8 4.14 8.19 (67)
BRISBANE 6.3 10.5 13.8 13.10 (88)
GOALS
COLLINGWOOD: Charlie West, Lachie Sullivan, Mitch Podhajski, Will Phillips, Will Hayes, Brady Grey, Oskar Faulkhead, Harry DeMattia
BRISBANE: Keidean Coleman (3), Ben Murphy (2), Curtis McCarthy (2), Cody Curtin (2), Sam Tilley, Dylan Smith, Koby Evans, Luke Beecken
