AFL Easter footy LIVE: Magpies get the early jump over Lions in Gabba blockbuster

Brody Mihocek roves the pack beautifully. Nice work. Smart play by a very valuable forward.

Collingwood 3.1 (19) lead Brisbane 1.2 (8)

It’s McStay again! What a start by the Collingwood forward, a player who’s missed plenty of footy in recent times.

Nice one, Oscar. The ruckman boots a goal after clasping a mark up forward. Can’t forget what happened to him on grand final day last year when he missed through injury, but showed so much joy for his victorious teammates.

Brisbane 1.2 (8) Collingwood 1.1 (7)

Both shots at goal were tough, both were offline. The teams are still warming up into this contest.

Daniel McStay is on the board, and so is Collingwood. An excellent kick from in the forward pocket.

Collingwood 1.0 (6) lead Brisbane 0.0 (0). Q1, 1:50 minutes

One of the quirks tonight? There are two sets of (star) brothers going right. At Collingwood, it’s Nick Daicos and Josh Daicos. While at Brisbane Lions it’s Norm Smith medallist Will Ashcroft and younger brother Levi Ashcroft.

The Magpies to kick to the left of your TV screens …

Darcy Cameron nominated two factors for Collingwood’s apparent improvement from 2024 during the first five games of this year: enhanced belief, and the addition of seasoned recruits.

“I feel like we got greater belief,” the ruckman said of the 2025 campaign in comparison to last year. “This year we’ve added some tools – a kit, I guess. And yeah, there’s some big weapons there … [Dan] Houston, [Harry] Perryman, [Tim] Membrey’s going really well. All those lads are doing a super role.”

Were Collingwood more settled? “Yeah, I think so, definitely. And a better start.”

JAKE NIALL reports