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Two goals from a couple of key Magpies, the mercurial Jordan De Goey and the ever-reliable Steele Sidebottom, have elevated Collingwood to a four-point win over Brisbane in the AFL grand final.
Charlie Cameron scrapped a goal with five minutes left on the clock to steal the lead for the Lions in what had been a thrilling to-and-fro affair at the MCG.
But the Magpies hit back through De Goey and Sidebottom to clinch a 12.18 (90) to 13.8 (86) victory in front of 100,024 fans.
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De Goey blasted home a goal on the run from the 50-metre arc, before Sidebottom received a 50-metre penalty and slotted the set shot from about 53 metres out.
Joe Daniher gave the Lions a slither of hope when he snapped a goal with 90-odd seconds remaining, but the Magpies weathered everything their rivals threw at them over the frantic final moments.
So wild did the Collingwood faithful go when the siren sounded that, for the second time in a week, the structures of the MCG shook.
A black and white party kicked off as the Magpies won their first AFL flag since 2010 and a record-equalling 16th VFL/AFL premiership, with Collingwood now sitting level with Carlton and Essendon on 16 premierships.
Magpies livewire Bobby Hill claimed the Norm Smith Medal for best on ground, having booted four goals from 18 touches and taken a spectacular grab.
Beaming with joy, Collingwood skipper Darcy Moore received the premiership cup from his father, Peter, a Magpies legend.
“Today’s success is a culmination of so much work over so many years … [by] so many people behind the scenes that make up the Collingwood Football Club,” Moore said on the premiership dais.
“To you, all of you, you know who you are, thank you so much. You guys make it possible for us to live our dream out here today as players.
“I want to give a special shout-out to all of the past players of the Collingwood Football Club, every person who has put on the black and white stripes over our history.
“It is not lost on us, the 23 that run out here today and every week, that we represent you and your years of dedication and hard work, and we do everything we can to make you proud.”
Magpies coach Craig McRae won three AFL premierships as a player with the Lions.
On Saturday he masterminded their downfall, leading Collingwood to victory only hours after his wife gave birth.
“I thought this group was a special one,” McRae said.
“I can see special things happening throughout training and we kept getting better every day. Now they are a premiership team.”
