As we continue to build up to the big dance on Saturday.
As team selection looks to settle, we've looked to combine the predicted sides for the weekend. What exactly would that look like? Who makes it in the combined best 23? Who doesn't?
All is revealed with our combined best 23-man team for this weekend's Grand Final.
FB: Brayden Maynard (Coll), Harris Andrews (BL), Isaac Quaynor (Coll)
Our back three starts with the barometer in defence for Collingwood in Maynard. His form over the finals to 'poke the bear' earns him a spot. Whilst his numbers aren't fancy, his pressure acts are up with 16.5 per game. His off-the-ball work frustrates his opponent giving himself more freedom. Harris Andrews leads the back three thanks to his exceptional intercept and spoiling game. With around seven intercepts and nine spoils per game, it's pretty hard to argue if someone else should be in that role. Quaynor has flown under the radar with his intercept game. Ranked top 20 in the league and second best among Collingwood defenders earns him this spot.
HB: Nick Daicos (Coll), Darcy Moore (Coll), Keidean Coleman (BL)
The revelation of Nick Daicos has been incredible to watch, especially knowing that he is still just beginning his career. His skills off half-back are exceptional and have proven to be an important piece of the puzzle that was sorely missed during his injury. Moore has been a top defender for McRae's side, another strong interceptor with a role that is similar to Andrews', but his history with moving forward is the reason he has been named on the half-back line. Coleman has been a star for the Lions, perhaps one of the cleanest ball users in the game currently. He is not afraid to take the game on through the middle and will hit any kick even if it seems impossible.
C: Josh Daicos (Coll), Jordan De Goey (Coll), Hugh McCluggage (BL)
Josh Daicos' efforts on the wing have been superior. The ball just seems to end up in his hands and his delivery inside 50 is essentially on a plate for his forwards. With the same being said for De Goey, some might argue his impact on the scoreboard makes him even better. As a centre with scoring talent, De Goey easily earns his spot. McCluggage is another excellent ball user, more often than not being one of the first players to receive the ball from the contest and hit up a target inside 50. Compliments well alongside Daicos and De Goey.
FOLL: Oscar McInerney (BL), Lachie Neale (BL), Josh Dunkley (BL)
In all Brisbane followers group was selected to honour the large amount of contested possessions these three rack up. McInerney appears in this side with dominance over Cameron and Cox in terms of ruck craft and impact around the ground. McInerney's ability to punch the ball 30 metres from the ruck contests creates the chaotic ball that the Lions love. Neale leads the league in clearances, is second in contested ball and with 75% disposal efficiency claims his spot without doubt alongside his new teammate Dunkley, who has provided the Lions with assistance both in an attacking and defensive sense.
HF: Brody Mihocek (Coll), Eric Hipwood (BL), Zac Bailey (BL)
Mihocek has proven himself to be one of the better forwards in the competition both in front of the goal and up the ground. His ability to work up in support to receive the relieving mark on the wing before working back into the forward line has made him much more versatile than he has ever been. Hipwood received a lot of criticism earlier in the year and now seems to crash nearly every contest - exactly what forwards should be doing, allowing their smaller teammates to get to work such as Bailey. Bailey lives off the crumb if the ball comes to the ground and he is always near. It almost seems guaranteed that a score is coming when he's around, making him a solid player in this lineup.
FF: Charlie Cameron (BL), Joe Daniher (BL), Jamie Elliott (Coll)
Cameron has been one of, if not the best small forward this season. Week in, and week out, defenders are left fumbling and holding at every chance in the hopes of stopping him. No one else on either roster creates that kind of fear amongst the opposition. Daniher has also risen to the occasion in recent times, putting more forward pressure on and slowly taking more marks per game. Not only that, but he has gotten his teammates involved after scrutiny of being selfish earlier this season. Of course, we had to add Elliot, one of the most clutch players in the game and one that can have an impact anywhere on the ground. Elliot provides himself as a nice marking target despite a smaller build.
I/C: Jack Crisp (Coll), Brandon Starcevich (BL), Scott Pendlebury (Coll), Steele Sidebottom (Coll)
A stacked bench rounds out of best 23 with 'Mr. Consistent' in Crisp taking his place as an asset that can have an impact in the midfield off the bench. Starcevich is also a nice defender to have out there with his composure and one-on-one contest work shutting down his opponent. Pendlebury is unlucky to have not been in the starting team but offers clean ball skills off the bench with his trusted teammate Sidebottom also following suit as an option perhaps floating forward if needed.
Sub: Beau McCreery (Coll)
McCreery has taken the title of the tactical substitute. McCreery has shown himself to be a good worker off the ball, creating opportunities in the forward line as well as retreating back to defence to support and create run from the back line.
FB: Maynard, Andrews, Quaynor
HB: N Daicos, Moore, Coleman
C: J Daicos, De Goey, McCluggage
HF: Mihocek, Hipwood, Bailey
FF: Cameron, Daniher, Elliott
FOLL: McInerney, Neale, Dunkley
I/C: Crisp, Starcevich, Pendlebury, Sidebottom
SUB: McCreery