2003 AFL Grand Final — Brisbane Complete The Three-Peat

The 2003 AFL Grand Final saw Brisbane Lions defeat Collingwood 20.14 (134) to 12.12 (84) at the MCG — a 50-point thrashing that completed the Lions’ three-peat dynasty. Played on 27 September 2003 in front of 79,451 fans, the Lions’ premiership was their third consecutive (2001, 2002, 2003) — the first three-peat since the 1980s. Simon Black won the Norm Smith Medal; Leigh Matthews collected his third consecutive Jock McHale; and Brisbane sealed itself as one of the AFL’s modern dynasties.

The Build-Up: Three-Peat Mission

Brisbane Lions had won the 2001 and 2002 Grand Finals. A third would match the Hawks’ 1986-1988-1989 (well, with 1987 missing, so technically not three-peat) and the Tigers’ 1973-1974 (back-to-back only). Three-in-a-row was the holy grail.

The 2003 home-and-away campaign confirmed the Lions’ dominance. Michael Voss, Jonathan Brown, Simon Black, Nigel Lappin, Justin Leppitsch, Chris Johnson — the squad was peaking. The finals run was clinical.

Collingwood, under Mick Malthouse, had been progressively rebuilding. The Magpies’ 2002 Grand Final loss to Brisbane (by 9 points) had stung; 2003 was a redemption mission. Nathan Buckley led the Magpies’ midfield; Anthony Rocca the forward line.

The Match: Brisbane’s Coronation

Brisbane started fast and never relinquished the lead. Simon Black’s 39 disposals were a Grand Final record at the time. Jonathan Brown kicked 3 goals. Michael Voss’s captaincy delivered. The Lions’ midfield was untouchable.

By half-time Brisbane led by 30+ points. The third quarter extended the lead substantially. Collingwood fought hard in the final quarter but the gap was insurmountable.

Final score: Brisbane Lions 20.14 (134) defeated Collingwood 12.12 (84) — a 50-point margin, the largest of the three-peat era.

The Norm Smith Medal: Simon Black

The 2003 Norm Smith went to Simon Black of Brisbane. Black’s 39 disposals (a Grand Final record at the time), 1 goal, and class around the contest earned the recognition. Black would later win the 2002 Brownlow Medal (in 2002 he’d been the runner-up).

The Premiership Coach: Leigh Matthews (Third)

Leigh Matthews collected his third consecutive Jock McHale Medal in 2003. “Lethal” was the most-decorated coach since Norm Smith (six premierships) and Jock McHale (nine). The Lions’ three-peat established Matthews as one of the all-time AFL coaches.

Famous Moments

• Simon Black’s 39 disposals — Grand Final record at the time.
• Jonathan Brown’s 3 goals — Lions’ key forward.
• Michael Voss’s captaincy — three-peat skipper.
• Nigel Lappin’s defiant midfield work.
• Justin Leppitsch’s defence.
• Chris Johnson’s contested marking.
• Nathan Buckley’s defiant 27 disposals — Magpies’ captain in defeat.
• Anthony Rocca’s 3 goals — Magpies’ key forward producing.
• Leigh Matthews’s emotional Cup lift — three flags in three years.
• The Lions’ supporter celebrations — three-peat completed.

Trivia for the Pub

• Date: 27 September 2003, MCG.
• Final: Brisbane 20.14 (134) defeated Collingwood 12.12 (84).
• Margin: 50 points.
• Crowd: 79,451.
• Norm Smith: Simon Black (39 disposals — record).
• Jock McHale: Leigh Matthews (third consecutive).
• Brisbane’s 3rd consecutive flag (2001, 2002, 2003).
• The first three-peat since the 1980s.
• Collingwood’s second consecutive Grand Final loss to Brisbane.
• Leigh Matthews’s coaching career: 4 premierships (1990 Coll, 2001-2003 Brisbane).

The Rumours and Aftermath

The 2003 result completed the Lions’ three-peat era. The 2004 Grand Final loss to Port Adelaide ended the bid for four consecutive flags.

For Collingwood, the 2003 loss was painful but bookended Mick Malthouse’s continuing rebuild. The Magpies’ 2010 premiership ended the 20-year drought.

For the broader AFL, the Brisbane three-peat (2001-2003) and the Hawthorn three-peat (2013-2015) are the two modern era three-peats. No team has won four in a row since Collingwood’s 1927-1930 dynasty.

The Verdict

The 2003 AFL Grand Final completed Brisbane’s modern dynasty. Simon Black’s record-breaking Norm Smith, Leigh Matthews’s third consecutive Jock McHale, and the three-peat coronation — all combined for one of the most-celebrated single Grand Final results. Long live the 2003 Lions.