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.

SEE ALSO: Predicted ins, outs and lineups for the 2023 AFL Grand Final

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

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3. Forwards

This is where Brisbane must take advantage on Saturday; with their far superior array of forward-line talent, especially given Collingwood's forced team changes.

The injury to Dan McStay could be keeping Craig McRae up all night, every night in the lead-up to the weekend, wondering how to fill that key position hole.

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After Brody Mihocek, there isn't a recognised key forward on that sheet, with Mason Cox, Jeremy Howe and Will Hoskin-Elliot representing the potential replacements.

Jamie Elliot is the final marking option before the remaining spots are filled by Bobby Hill, Beau McCreery and Jack Ginnivan.

Of course, we must recognise how Collingwood operates as a collective without any real reliance on a key-post target, but once again, Brisbane looks far more dangerous on paper.

Joe Daniher and Eric Hipwood, while perpetually criticised, have done their job for most of the year and will come into the final game of the year with an abundance of confidence.

Charlie Cameron is the best true small forward in the league and will essentially take a Collingwood defender out of the game with the job of halting him.

After that, the Lions are rounded out by the most damaging group of medium-sized pressure forwards in the competition.

Cam Rayner, Zac Bailey, Lincoln McCarthy and Callum Ah Chee are all hungry forwards who prey on opposition ball movement out of defensive 50 with intense heat and suffocating pressure.

The forward edge clearly goes to Brisbane.

Collingwood:

Brisbane:

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