AFL finals 2023 LIVE updates: Tempers have flared at the MCG in ...

Collingwood has bolted forward again after the centre bounce and were rewarded with McStay taking a mark and then going back to kick the goal.

It’s the equal highest lead of the game for the Magpies.

Pies 45, Dees 18 with 10 mins to go in Q3.

The Demons have had their chances at the other end but Collingwood have finally surged forward and found Hill who marked and took his time before kicking his third goal.

He has been waiting to get on this stage and is loving it once again.

Pies 39, Dees 18 with 11 mins to go in Q3.

Jordan De Goey (left) and Bobby Hill of the Magpies celebrate a goal.Credit: AFL Photos

The Demons have two behinds from the opening few minutes of the second half but they haven’t been able to kick any goals yet despite sending the ball into their forward line.

They do look revitalised but Collingwood are starting to stir.

Pies 33, Dees 17 with 17 mins to go in Q3.

What an eventful first half. We’ve had spot fires, injuries and match review issues - and a surprising scoreline.

The Pies take a 17-point lead into half-time, but the Dees are coming.

The first 45 minutes belonged to the minor premiers, who led by 27 points early in the second term.

Jake Lever of the Demons is tackled by Daniel McStay of the Magpies.Credit: AFL Photos

A tough slog was supposed to favour the Dees, who thrive in such conditions, but the Pies played with the harder edge.

Mason Cox signalled his intent at the first bounce, flattening Max Gawn as the Pies won the first two centre clearances.

They owned the inside and controlled territory. Bobby Hill has been electric with his speed and silky skills. Brody Mihocek is on top in his duel with Steven May, while Jamie Elliott is giving Michael Hibberd the runaround.

The Dees need more from Christian Petracca, who has been restricted to just seven possessions.

Jacob Van Rooyen and Tom McDonald have had no impact. From 33 entries inside 50, the Dees have managed only six scores, but they played their best footy in the second half of the second term.

Bayley Fritsch has had a few moments but his opponent Darcy Moore has not done much either.

Bobby Hill: Two goals in minutes in the first term in a match when it was hosing down before the game and goals proved hard to get throughout.

Max Gawn: After Mason Cox started like Polly Farmer, Max worked his way back into the game and in the second term was the most influential player on the ground.

Steele Sidebottom: On a wing has been clean when others haven’t. He’s won one one-on-ones repeatedly.

Brody Mihocek celeebrates a goal.Credit: Getty Images

Bayley Fritsch: Yes he’s on one leg with the foot problem he has but in a forward line that struggles to score Melbourne needs more from Fritsch. He’s had just two kicks to halftime, one of them was a shot at goal at least

Dan McStay: he had a concussion test after a bump from Jacob Van Rooyen so he might have an alibi for having his head rattled but he was all at seas once he came back on.

Tom McDonald: Look its hard to pick on the bloke just brought into the team but Melbourne had 33 inside 50s for the half and managed just two goals. The key forward needs to take some ownership of that.

The good sign for Melbourne is that Collingwood hasn’t blown them away by turning their possessions into goals, certainly the Magpies couldn’t create enough chances in that second term.

The Demons are slowing starting to win more ball but it is a tough battle.

Jack Viney of the Demons remonstrate with Brayden Maynard of the Magpies.Credit: Getty Images

Collingwood’s Brayden Maynard will come under scrutiny from the match review officer after he knocked out Melbourne midfielder Angus Brayshaw in the first five minutes of the qualifying final.

Brayshaw left the ground on a stretcher and was immediately subbed out of the game with a concussion while his teammates remonstrated with Maynard.

Angus Brayshaw claps towards fans as he is taken from the ground.Credit: Paul Rovere

Maynard jumped in the air while attempting to smother as Brayshaw kicked the ball from a centre clearance.

He was not electing to bump although he turned his body as he landed, his shoulder appearing to connect with Brayshaw’s head.

The question for the MR0 will be whether it was reasonable for Maynard to attack the contest as he did or whether he could have avoided contact or minimised the potential to cause injury.

Jacob van Rooyen will also have a bump on Dan McStay scrutinised in a brutal start to the match.