The 2023 AFL Grand Final presents a tantalising matchup between Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions, with both sides flexing their respective muscle in multiple areas of the ground.

There's talent galore through the backline, midfield, and forward sector, with plenty of individuals boasting the capability to tear the game apart.

As there are selection headaches due to potential forced changes on both sides of the ball, neither side is going into Saturday's decider with a clean bill of health.

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We've examined both squads to see who has the edge ahead of the big dance.

2. Midfielders

The midfield is the engine room where most of the damage is done on game day, especially in finals where the contest battle lifts dramatically.

These two midfield groups work in very different ways.

Brisbane is the best stoppage team in the competition with their ability to create chances inside 50 with clean clearances out the front of a contest.

Collingwood, alternatively, is an average stoppage side that does their damage in live play when the opposition has lost their direct matchup.

Hence, it seems this will be a battle between systems more than personnel, though it's well worth looking at what either side is working with.

The Magpies are still very capable of inflicting stoppage damage with the likes of Jordan De Goey, Jack Crisp and Nick Daicos wreaking havoc through the middle.

That group, matched up with Lachie Neale, Josh Dunkley and Hugh McCluggage, will be box office viewing from the first bounce, but it's hard to see who has the edge here.

The hit-out advantage goes to Brisbane's Oscar McInerney but this likely won't impact the final scoreboard. Magpies Darcy Cameron and Mason Cox are capable of holding their own around the ground, making for a relatively even split in that department.

It may come down to a battle of depth.

Tom Mitchell, Scott Pendlebury, and Pat Lipinski are all viable secondary options, but the unavailability of Taylor Adams may be the biggest factor in the game, let alone the midfield depth charts.

Without Adams, Brisbane arguably has the edge with Cam Rayner, Jarrod Berry, Zac Bailey, Dayne Zorko, Jaspa Fletcher and Deven Robertson forming a plethora of backup options with a wide variety of skill sets and sizes.

Collingwood:

Brisbane: