The second preliminary final for the 2025 AFL Premiership Season will be this Saturday afternoon as Collingwood host Brisbane at the MCG in a replay of the 2023 Grand Final. After Melbourne having no games last week, this will be the second preliminary final at the home of football and it should be yet another exciting matchup between these two sides. The two teams have met twice this year, with the away side getting on top both times. The Magpies smashed the Lions at the Gabba back in Round 6, which was before the late season drop off, while the Lions got up by 27 points at the MCG in Round 21 in what was a massive match that had huge finals position impact. All that is out the window this weekend, however, as it is quite simple, win and play in a second Grand Final in 3 years, lose and go home for the summer.
As always this is all about the daily fantasy and this massive final game draws a boosted $75,000 prize pool at Draftstars in their main contest. In addition, there are a variety of alternate contests:
AFL $75,000+ Magpies vs Lions at Draftstars
AFL $10,000+ Magpies vs Lions High Roller ($150 Entry) at Draftstars
AFL $3,000+ Magpies vs Lions Mini ($2 Entry) at Draftstars
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AFL Daily Fantasy Lineup Tips: Collingwood vs Brisbane Preliminary Final
AFL Fantasy Preliminary Final Magpies vs Lions: Where to Attack?
No real shock that at this pointy end of the season that there are no obvious avenues to attack in this matchup. During 2025, Brisbane conceded the 3rd fewest fantasy points, while Collingwood were just behind them giving up the 4th fewest. When we take a closer look by position, the Lions have been giving up below average scores across every position on the ground, and in particular, are very tight on attacking half backs and general defenders (second fewest points given up to these roles over the last 10 games).
Collingwood on the other hand turn the screws on general forwards (fewest points in the league of the last 10 games) and general defenders (fewest in the league over the same time period). They do allow points to the designated kicker (4 points per game above league average), and the attacking half backs (just under 2 points per game above average) which will bode well for the Lions who love to setup their attack through this area of the ground.
When these two sides met this year it was the wings and half back roles for the Magpies that performed the best, while for the Lions their midfield absolutely filled up in their winning game against the Magpies but was heavily restricted in their loss.
Game Script – Lions half backs, Mix midfield and Magpies forwards
AFL Fantasy Preliminary Final Magpies vs Lions: Our Value Fantasy Picks
Brandon Starcevich ($6,000) typically makes for a great value option in these single game slates, especially in finals matchups where value is challenging to unearth. Starc is sitting at the bargain basement minimum price and has posted three scores of 51, 50 and 66 from his last four games. These might not scream knockout punch but they are a great floor to be working with at this price point and in a finals game where it is typically better to spend up on select premium plays, he offers nice salary relief. Furthermore, as mentioned above Lions backs look to be the one avenue to stack up in this game so pair him with another Brisbane defender.
Beau McCreery ($7,900) should get up the ground and at times will get a chance in the centre square. His first finals game didn’t open up for him with just a 49 point performance, but he has posted a 73 and 98 point game from his last four matches.
AFL Fantasy Preliminary Final Magpies vs Lions: Our Mid Price Fantasy Picks
Jordan De Goey ($11,860) is looking to have timed his run just right this season, hitting form and injury free right as the finals are heating up. His first finals game was probably his best game for the season racking up 107 fantasy points and attending 74% of the Magpies centre bounces (his highest mark this season). At this mid price point still he looks under priced for his top form and that might be where things are headed now.
Lachie Shultz ($10,930) is my sneaky top Magpies forward play if you are banking on a Collingwood win this week (they are favoured by around a goal). Shultz had a great game against the Lions earlier in the year posting 99 fantasy points in a loss and he will likely draw less attention than Jamie Elliott. Over his last 6 games Shultz has average 80 fantasy points.
AFL Fantasy Preliminary Final Magpies vs Lions: Our Premium Fantasy Picks
Will Ashcroft ($15,540) is making a case for himself to be the best player in the Lions team, especially in finals games. He backed up his Norm Smith effort in the Grand Final last year with a ridiculous elimination final against the Suns last week posting 28 touches, 2 goals and 111 fantasy points. He got it done in their first final loss as well with 115 fantsy points against the Cats, so he fits into your roster builds regardless of game script. Anytime Lachie Neale is out seems to spell bigger scores for Ashcroft and he has posted just one game under 100 points from his last 6.
If you are looking to spend up further on the Lions mids the obvious answer is Josh Dunkley ($17,830) who is just built for finals contested footy with three straight games now over 130 points. On the Magpies side look for Nick Daicos ($16,730) to stand up in big games as usual.
Dayne Zorko ($15,120) is the Lions designated kicker, which the clear cut role that the Magpies give up points to. He has been firing in the finals series with 130 against Geelong and 100 last week against the Suns. He looks game script proof and almost fits better in your builds where Collingwood win.
Here's our Suggested Draftstars Lineup for Collingwood vs Brisbane
Weather Report for Saturday 20th September
Melbourne - 13 degrees, mostly cloudy
AFL Saturday Betting Markets
Collingwood ($1.70) vs Brisbane ($2.16)
Points: 161.5
Line: Collingwood -5.5
Also, be sure to check out our full AFL Collingwood vs Brisbane Preview and Betting Tips. Our experts break down the game and highlight some key bets that you can follow!
