Magpies torment Lions for big win at the Gabba (2025)

Collingwood have tormented Brisbane yet again, inflicting the first defeat of their AFL premiership defence as Nick Daicos ran riot in a 52-point Gabba thumping.

Daicos was dominant throughout for the Magpies' fifth-straight win with 38 disposals, eight clearances and a goal to end the Lions' 10-match unbeaten streak in a brutal fashion 16.9 (105) to 7.11 (53).

And amid the Lions' first defeat of the season, tensions appeared to flare on the home side's touchline, with senior coach Chris Fagan appearing to but heads with Dayne Zorko, after Brisbane were trailing by 20 points in the third quarter.

The half-back had approached the boundary line next to the Lions bench and seemed to engage in a tense discussion with Fagan.

Fagan was seen holding his hand up to Zorko, who held a brief exchange of words with the footy coach before turning his back on Fagan and shaking his head.

Some footy fans were concerned by the body language of 36-year-old premiership winner, with one writing on X: 'Don’t like this, don’t care how old you are. Dont turn your back on your own coach when he is talking to you. Might be old fashioned.'

Brisbane's last loss was in round 23 last season when Collingwood produced a one-point escape act at the MCG, the scene of their memorable 2023 grand final nail-biter.

This time they dominated a spiteful clash in front of a sell-out crowd of 34,802.

Although the Lions had taken their mantle as the AFL's "comeback kings" in the past nine months, the match was as good as over when Jamie Elliott celebrated his 200th game with his second goal for a 42-point lead late in the third term.

Along with Daicos, Bobby Hill was near his freakish best and Jordan De Goey made a successful return from injury with two goals as the visitors flexed their premiership credentials.

In a match full of flashpoints, it was the Magpies who were able to keep the cool in a fast and furious first half and punish a frustrated Brisbane on their home deck.

Collingwood looked on from the start, dominating the clearances and stifling Brisbane's ball movement.

The Daicos brothers were everywhere with 21 disposals between them in the first term alone while former Lion Daniel McStay slotted two majors for a 10-point quarter-time lead.

Brisbane wrested control back for much of an intense second term but squandered their opportunities and were made to pay.

In contrast, with Nick Daicos running amok, the visitors were clinical, converting their limited entries to stretch their lead to 19 at half-time.

McStay's third goal, from a controversial free kick for a push on the goal line, capped an amazing passage of play where Hill raced down the Vulture St wing and regathered several times.

Mason Cox, a late inclusion with Lachlan Sullivan scratched, took out Jack Payne in the lead-up and was targeted in a vicious melee which followed.

It was the second goal to have the home fans hot under the collar after Josh Daicos previously converted the spoils from a generous 50m free -- measured at 77m -- from the umpires after Zac Bailey encroached in defence.

But Brisbane could complain little at the result as they were completely outplayed throughout and kept to three goals in the second half.

Magpies captain Darcy Moore finished under an injury cloud after copping a knee to the head from teammate Jeremy Howe.

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