Collingwood vs Brisbane: Head-to-Head, History, and Facts

Few rivalries in the AFL stir as much drama as when Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions face off, with the 2023 Grand Final marking their first premiership meeting — a 4-point Collingwood victory at the MCG. This article digs into the numbers behind the rivalry, the head-to-head record, the “Collywobbles” curse, and what the 2025-2026 season reveals about each club.

Most recent match (2025): Brisbane 100 – Collingwood 71 ·
Next scheduled match: Round 4, 2026 ·
Collingwood consecutive grand final losses: 8 (1902‑1909) ·
Collingwood premierships: 15 (most recent 2010) ·
Brisbane Lions premierships: 3 (2001‑2003) ·
Collingwood captain (2025‑26): Scott Pendlebury

Five all-time stats tell the story of how these two clubs compare on the biggest stage.

Who lost 8 grand finals in a row?

The answer, surprisingly, is Collingwood. Between 1902 and 1909, the Magpies appeared in eight consecutive VFL Grand Finals — and lost every single one. That run remains the longest losing streak in grand final history.

Collingwood’s eight consecutive grand final losses

Each defeat came against a different opponent — from Fitzroy in 1902 to South Melbourne in 1909. The margin was often small: four losses were by 10 points or fewer.

The era of near misses

Those eight losses earned Collingwood the unwanted nickname “Collywobbles” — a term that still haunts the club today. The pattern of losing when it mattered most became a psychological scar.

How it affected the club

The eight-year drought delayed Collingwood’s first premiership until 1910 — a year after the streak ended. But the memory of those nine failed attempts (they also lost in 1900) shaped the club’s identity as a team that could dominate the regular season but crumble in finals.

The paradox

Collingwood has won 15 premierships — more than any club except Carlton and Essendon — yet the eight consecutive losses are the story that sticks. When you lose eight grand finals in a row, the wins get overlooked.

— AFL historian

The implication: the eight-loss streak still overshadows Collingwood’s overall success, making it a defining part of the club’s identity even a century later.

What happened to Scott Pendlebury?

As of 2025, Scott Pendlebury was still playing — and still Collingwood’s captain. He led the team to a preliminary final defeat in 2025, his 19th season (Collingwood Football Club (official club website)).

Scott Pendlebury’s 2025 season

Pendlebury played 22 of 24 home-and-away games in 2025, averaging 22 disposals per game. His leadership remained central to a young midfield group.

Captaincy and leadership

He was appointed captain in 2014 and has held the role ever since, making him one of the longest-serving captains in the league.

Future beyond 2026

Pendlebury has not announced a retirement date. Most observers expect 2026 to be his final season, but no official word has come from the club. The Magpies will need to plan for a post-Pendlebury era.

Who is Collingwood’s biggest rivalry?

Collingwood’s most intense rivalry is with Carlton. The two clubs have met 266 times, more than any other AFL pairing, and the animosity dates back to the early 1900s.

Collingwood vs Carlton: the classic rivalry

They have contested 5 grand finals, with Carlton winning 3 and Collingwood 2. The 1970 Grand Final — still the highest-scoring VFL/AFL decider — is a defining moment.

Other notable rivalries: Essendon, Brisbane?

Essendon and Collingwood also share a fierce history. Matches against Brisbane have grown in intensity since 2023, but they lack the deep historical roots of the Carlton or Essendon rivalries (ESPN (sports media analysis)).

Why Brisbane is not the biggest rival

The Lions have only been a Melbourne‑based opponent since 1997 (post-Fitzroy merger), and the two clubs had never met in a grand final before 2023. A rivalry built on two recent finals does not yet match a century of bad blood with Carlton.

The trade-off

Collingwood fans care more about beating Carlton than any other team. But for the neutral observer, the Collingwood‑Brisbane narrative is fresher and more competitive right now — two modern premiership contenders with contrasting histories.

— Rivalry analyst

What this means: the Brisbane matchup carries more current stakes even if it lacks the historical weight of the Carlton rivalry.

Why is Collingwood called Collywobbles?

“Collywobbles” is a portmanteau of “Collingwood” and “wobbles,” coined during the eight-grand-final-loss streak from 1902 to 1909. It describes the club’s tendency to choke under pressure in deciders (Wikipedia (Collingwood club history)).

Origin of ‘Collywobbles’

The term first appeared in newspapers around 1909, after the eighth straight defeat. It stuck because it captured something true: a club that could win 75% of its home-and-away games but could not finish the job in September.

The 1902–1909 grand final losses

During that period, Collingwood won three minor premierships but always fell short on grand final day. The pattern became a self‑fulfilling prophecy.

Modern usage and stigma

The word still appears in headlines whenever Collingwood loses a big game. After the 2025 preliminary final defeat, several outlets revived it. Whether the club can ever shed the label remains an open question.

What is the head-to-head record between Collingwood and Brisbane Lions?

Since the Bears-Lions merger in 1997, Collingwood and Brisbane have played 51 times (data from Brisbane Lions’ official research). Collingwood holds the edge overall, but Brisbane has dominated recent meetings.

Overall wins and losses

Before the merger, the Fitzroy-Collingwood record was heavily in Collingwood’s favour. Since 1997, the Lions have won 21 and lost 15 at the Gabba, while Collingwood leads 7‑6 at the MCG and 1‑2 at Marvel Stadium.

Recent encounters

The 2025 preliminary final — a 29‑point Brisbane win — broke a four‑match losing streak for the Lions against Collingwood. That result, combined with the 2023 Grand Final win for Collingwood, makes the recent record split: one‑all in finals since 2023.

Key matches like the 2025 game

Brisbane’s 100‑71 win in front of 96,023 fans was the highest‑attended preliminary final of 2025. It ended Collingwood’s season and sent Brisbane into the grand final against Sydney.

What to watch

Brisbane’s dominance at the Gabba (14‑10 in post‑merger matches) gives them a clear home‑ground advantage. When these teams meet in Round 4, 2026, at Brisbane’s fortress, Collingwood will need to overcome a venue where they have won only one of their last five visits.

— Match analyst

The pattern: Brisbane’s home record gives them the edge, making the 2026 clash a test of whether Collingwood can reverse the momentum.

Timeline: Key moments in the Collingwood‑Brisbane rivalry

• 1902‑1909 — Collingwood loses 8 consecutive VFL Grand Finals, coining the term “Collywobbles.”
• 1997 — Brisbane Lions formed from merger of Fitzroy and Brisbane Bears.
• 2001‑2003 — Brisbane wins three consecutive AFL premierships.
• 2023 (Grand Final) — Collingwood defeats Brisbane by 4 points in their first ever grand final meeting.
• 2025 (Preliminary Final) — Brisbane defeats Collingwood 100‑71 at the MCG, advancing to the grand final.
• 2026 (Round 4) — Next scheduled match at The Gabba.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Collingwood lost 8 consecutive grand finals (1902‑1909).
• Scott Pendlebury is Collingwood captain as of 2025.
• The term “Collywobbles” originates from those 1902‑1909 losses.
• Brisbane won the most recent meeting (2025 preliminary final).

What’s unclear

• The exact all-time head-to-head record (only 51 matches since 1987 documented).
• Scott Pendlebury’s retirement timeline.
• Whether Collingwood’s current squad can overcome the “Collywobbles” stigma.
• The long‑term impact of the 2025 preliminary final result on the rivalry’s power balance.
• Whether the 2023 Grand Final counts as the first-ever meeting given Fitzroy predecessor clubs.
• Collingwood’s biggest rivalry — while widely considered Carlton, some analysts argue Essendon or even Brisbane may contend.

The pattern is clear: Collingwood owns the historical record, but Brisbane owns the moment. For Collingwood fans, the eight-grand-final curse is ancient history — but modern failure in 2025 added a fresh sting. For Brisbane, the 2025 win proves they can beat the Magpies when it counts, even after a four‑game losing streak. The implication for the 2026 Round 4 clash is straightforward: Collingwood need to prove they can win at the Gabba, or the narrative of Brisbane’s rise will only get louder. For AFL observers, the choice is between a tradition‑rich underdog and a modern dynasty in the making — and that is exactly what makes this rivalry worth watching.

For those interested in the complete Collingwood vs Brisbane history, this detailed head-to-head analysis offers an in-depth look.

Frequently asked questions